Painting study · Ink painting
Ōtsu-e Nirvana of the Buddha (Ōtsu-e Butsu Nehanzu)1800s · Study 2016.306
Hakuen (Japanese, active 1850–1870)
1800s
Recorded as hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, this vertical work measures 78.7 × 201.9 cm using the museum’s overall dimensions. Explore the museum’s context and compare the format with a wall of your choice.
Museum collection reference. This work is not offered for sale by Physical Art For Crypto. Museum attribution does not imply a partnership or endorsement.
Context from the museum
The painting parodies the traditional representation of this subject. The death of Buddha is actually the moment he achieves nirvana and escapes the endless cycle of death and rebirth. Hakuen transformed this serious moment (see The Death of the Buddha , CMA 1916.1141 ) into a lively parody with otsu-e subjects. Mourners surround the Buddha. An oni , who pretends to be a priest, holds his gong in the air as he beats his drums and chants prayers. The wisteria maiden appears at the left, bringing water to the mourners. Behind her is an oni in the guise of a thunder god beating his drums. The animals along the foreground represent other otsu-e characters and models. The painting would have amused 19th-century viewers familiar with the usual Buddhist imagery.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected overall measurement for Ōtsu-e Nirvana of the Buddha (Ōtsu-e Butsu Nehanzu) is 78.7 cm wide and 201.9 cm high, equivalent to approximately 31.0 × 79.5 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.39:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.59 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 26.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 110.7 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 Ōtsu-e Nirvana of the Buddha (Ōtsu-e Butsu Nehanzu) 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 and color on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 78.7 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?
Explore physical scale
How large would this format feel on your wall?
Use this museum work’s recorded format as a reference. Adjust a blank wall and optional frame allowance to compare proportions. The museum painting is an educational reference and is not for sale here.
Calculation: outside width = recorded width + twice your frame allowance. This is a proportion study, not an installation assessment. It excludes furniture, hardware, load capacity, depth and delivery clearance. The display image may include margins absent from the recorded measurement.
Compare formats with the studio collection
These Lei-Kol works have the closest width-to-height ratios in the current catalog. This is a geometry comparison, not a claim of artistic similarity, equivalent value, or association with the museum artist.
| Painting | Width × height | Format ratio | USD catalog price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheesecake | 24 × 48 in | 0.50:1 | $1,099 |
| Riptide | 24 × 48 in | 0.50:1 | $1,199 |
| Graffiti | 30 × 48 in | 0.63:1 | $2,199 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
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