Twenty-three Deity Nairatma Mandalac. 1375 · Study 1993.4

Context from the museum

A mandala is a diagram of a realm of enlightened beings. This mandala depicts the palace of Nairatma, who dances in the center. The outermost ring contains depictions of eight cremation grounds, where corpses burn, and dogs and vultures feed on human remains. Buddhist practitioners spend time in cremation grounds in order to overcome fear of death and attachment to their physical bodies. A practitioner can then reach the splendid realm of eternal bliss in the center. Accomplished teachers guide a practitioner’s meditations through the cremation grounds and every section of the mandala.

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

A detail to notice

Virupa is depicted twice, always pointing to arrest the sun with his raised left hand. He sits among the lineage masters along the top edge, and is also depicted in the topmost segment of the ring of cremation grounds, being served a cup of liquor.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Twenty-three Deity Nairatma Mandala is 72.4 cm wide and 82.5 cm high, equivalent to approximately 28.5 × 32.5 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.88:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.60 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 24.1% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 113.8 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 Twenty-three Deity Nairatma Mandala in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera, ink, and gold on cloth, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 72.4 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?