明/清 佚名 揭缽圖 卷|Raising the Alms-Bowl

Unidentified artist|Zhao Boju

17th–18th century · Handscroll; ink, color, and gold on paper · Asian Art

This painting tells the story of how the Buddha converted the child-eating demon Guizimu (Hariti, in Sanskrit) to the Buddhist faith. To show her the pain that her abductions and carnage were causing, the Buddha imprisoned one of Guizimu’s children under a magical bowl; the chaotic scene shows Guizimu’s demon armies futilely trying to lift the bowl and free the child. The Buddha watches, hovering in mid-air, backed by flames and accompanied by luohans and other followers. This painting was made with the intent to deceive: the many early collection seals are fake and were added to make the painting look older (and more valuable) than it was.

Artist

Unidentified artist|Zhao Boju

Date

17th–18th century

Medium

Handscroll; ink, color, and gold on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1927