A THANGKA OF BUDDHA AMITABHA IN SUKHAVATI, TIBET, 18TH CENTURY
Distemper and gold on cloth with a silk brocade frame and mounted as a hanging scroll.

Finely painted with the red-skinned Amitabha seated in dhyanasana on a lotus cushion with his hands in dhyana mudra supporting an alms bowl, wearing long flowing robes decorated with gold brocade patterns, backed by an aureole and halo, flanked by Green and White Tara. The upper register with two flying apsara between a lama and Akshobhya, both flanking the tall roof of the celestial building surrounded by billowing clouds. The lower register with monks, buddhas, and bodhisattvas, all within a verdant landscape.


Provenance:
French trade.

Condition:
Good condition with minor wear, light soiling, creasing, tiny losses, minor fading.

Dimensions: Image size 70.4 x 43.8 cm, Size incl. frame 113.8 x 69.1 cm


Sukhavati
is described as the Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha in the Pure Land schools of Mahayana Buddhism. According to followers of the Pure Land schools, which are widespread throughout East Asia, rebirth in Sukhavati is ensured by invoking the name of Amitabha, particularly at the moment of death. Sukhavati is expressively described in the Pure Land sutras as being a joyous world, soft and glowing, filled with the music of birds and the tinkling of trees adorned with precious jewels and garlands of golden bells.


Literature comparison:

Compare a related thangka depicting Buddha Amitabha in Sukhavati, 152 x 87cm, dated late 18th century, in the Rubin Museum of Art, accession number C2006.66.185.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 September 2005, lot 131
Price: USD 8,400 or approx.
EUR 12,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Amitabha in Sukhavati, Tibet, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of painting. Note the size (91.4 x 65.4 cm).




西藏十八世紀阿彌陀佛極樂世界唐卡


布面膠彩描金，絲緞裝幀，掛軸。阿彌陀佛紅色身，雙手托缽，現禪定相，坐於蓮花座上，身著天衣，飾瓔珞，綠色光背，兩側有綠白度母，上界有兩位飛天，分別位於一位喇嘛和不動佛之間，下界有僧、佛、菩薩。藍天浮雲，下方遍地珍寶、八功德池中蓮花化生。內容繁複，情節生動。


來源：
法國古玩交易。

品相：
狀況良好，有輕微磨損、污漬、摺痕、微小缺損、輕微褪色。

尺寸：畫面70.4 x 43.8 厘米，總113.8 x 69.1 厘米


文獻比較：

比較一件相近的十八世紀末阿彌陀佛極樂世界唐卡，152 x 87厘米，收藏於Rubin藝術博物館，館藏編號C2006.66.185。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2005年9月21日，lot 131
價格：USD 8,400（相當於今日
EUR 12,000
）
描述：十八世紀西藏阿彌陀佛極樂世界唐卡
專家評論：比較非常相近的主題和繪畫風格。請注意尺寸 (91.4 x 65.4 厘米)。