Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanhac. 1450 · Study 1960.206

Context from the museum

The first in a series depicting the masters who transmitted the teachings on how to reach enlightenment, this painting begins at the upper left with the dark blue Vajradhara, who represents the essence of all Buddhas. The female enlightened being Nairatmya is seated at the upper right. She transmitted the teachings to Virupa, the brown-skinned Indian yogi at the lower left, in a vision; his disciple Kanha is at the lower right.

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 Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha is 50.2 cm wide and 57.5 cm high, equivalent to approximately 19.8 × 22.6 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.87:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.29 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 16.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 124.9 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 Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera and gold on cotton, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 50.2 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?