Aizen Myōō1300s · Study 2017.101

Context from the museum

Aizen Myōō is the Wisdom King of Passion. He is one of the Five Great Wisdom Kings who protect the Five Wisdom Buddhas. Each of these Buddhas represents one of the five types of wisdom characterizing a mind purified of disturbing emotions, such as desire, fear, and anger. Aizen’s body is red, and he has six arms. He has a flaming mandorla, or body halo, and sits upon a lotus supported by a vase from which flaming, wish-fulfilling jewels flow freely.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

Desires are mentally deposited into the mouth of Aizen's lion so that they can be consumed.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Aizen Myōō is 60.5 cm wide and 102 cm high, equivalent to approximately 23.8 × 40.2 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.59:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.62 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 20.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 119.8 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Aizen Myōō in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 60.5 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?