Blessed Lord Buddhac. 1825–50 · Study 1949.152

Context from the museum

The central figure of the Buddha, radiating light and the flame of enlightenment, is flanked by his four main disciples: Sariputra and the blue Moggallana on his left, and Ananda and Anuruddha on his right. Below him is the earth goddess holding a pot of water on her head. To her right are three guardians of Sri Lanka: Kataragama (or Skanda) with six heads and twelve arms; the blue Vibhishana, younger brother of Ravana; and, smaller in size, may be Pattina holding an anklet and neem leaf. On the opposite side are three deities: Sumana, the four-faced Brahma, and four-armed Shiva with trident. Arranged around two depictions of the bodhi tree under which the Buddha reached enlightenment, rows of other monks bear garlands in veneration. Each of the standing protector divinities around the periphery grasps a bow and arrow. This painting evokes the appearance of 18th- to 19th-century murals in Sri Lankan Buddhist temple interiors, such as those at Dumbulla, with its rows of golden figures. It was probably part of a domestic shrine, along with small sculptures of the Buddha, palm-leaf manuscripts of Pali scriptures, incense, oil lamps, bells, and other offerings such as food, flowers, and water. The varnish that covers the painting may have been intended to shield it from the environment of an active place of worship.

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

A detail to notice

The yellow pigment contains chromium, which was not used in pigments until 1818.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Blessed Lord Buddha is 48.3 cm wide and 57.8 cm high, equivalent to approximately 19.0 × 22.8 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.84:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.28 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 16.1% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 125.8 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 Blessed Lord Buddha in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, gum tempera on paper, varnished, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 48.3 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?