Dallas Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, March-April 1981 Page: 2
[16] p. : ill. ; 26 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Bodhisattva PADMAPANI
The Dallas Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to announce the
recent acquisition of an important work of art from Nepal, a 12th
century gilt bronze of the Bodhisattva Padmapani. This purchase
was made possible by a grant from the Virginia C. and Floyd C.
Ramsey Fund of the Dallas Community Chest Trust Fund, Inc.,
and is particularly significant in that it gives representation to an
artistic and cultural tradition not previously covered in the
Museum's collection.
Measuring 15 inches in height and extremely well preserved, our
figure displays the marriage of strong sculptural form and elegant
refinement that characterizes the best of Nepalese artistic
production. It further typifies a variety of devotional object with a
long history in both Nepal and Tibet and whose derivation is most
often associated with a shrine, in this case a Buddhist temple.
That the figure projects slightly forward indicates an original
placement relatively high on a wall with an intended angle of view
from below.
Padmapani, or Avalokitesvara, is the most important Bodhisattva
("Buddha-to-be") in the Buddhist pantheon. The embodiment of
compassion and grace, he is continuously engaged in aiding
humanity to follow the path of enlightenment. He is also
associated with the creation of the world, of which the lotus, his
distinctive emblem, is symbolic. The DMFA Bodhisattva stands
on a lotus throne in what is described according to canon as the
tribangha posture, with his right hand extended in a gesture of
charity. Around his head radiates a flaming nimbus, and he
wears a crown in the center of which is a small seated Buddha.
The long cord that appears on his left shoulder and loops his
sash before twisting around the right leg is an attribute known as
the holy thread. From the representation of these various
attributes and the somewhat severe treatment of posture and
anatomy, it is possible to date this example to an early, classical
period in Nepalese history, sometime in the 12th century.
Lying contingent to India along its northeast border, Nepal
developed under the dominant influence, both religious and
artistic, of its much larger neighbor. Hinduism as well as
Buddhism flourish there, and sculpture of the Gupta school left
an enduring mark on Nepalese modes of representation. A
degree of the love of softly swelling, sensuous forms in Indian art
is suggested in the chest, legs, and arms of the DMFA bronze.
However, strong national tendencies also intertwined with and
slowly subsumed outside influences so as to produce a school of
quite individual character. Perhaps most prominent in this . :
tradition is the penchant for linear form, the clarity of contour and
loving embellishment of linear detail played off against larger,
smooth masses. Thus, the stylized folds of the sash and garment
pleats of the DMFA Bodhisattva are contrasted with the smooth
curves of the legs, and the holy thread, waist band, and pearl
necklace are accented against the torso.
Avalokitesvara Padmapani
12th century gilt bronze from Nepal
Height 15" Width. 412" Depth: 48%"
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts purchase with a grant from
the Virginia C and Floyd C. Ramsey Fund of the Dallas
Community Chest Trust Fund, Inc.
(1980.45. FA)
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Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. Dallas Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, March-April 1981, periodical, March 1981; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth225309/m1/4/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dallas Museum of Art.