五代 雷延美 木刻大慈大悲救苦觀世音菩薩圖|The Greatly Merciful, Greatly Compassionate Rescuer from Suffering, Bodhisattva Guanyin

Lei Yanmei

dated 947 · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

This humble image of Guanyin is a rare survival from the early days of printing in China. It was commissioned by Cao Yuanzhong, ruler of Dunhuang, the oasis town in western China that was the final stopping point for Silk Road travelers before the arid horrors of the Taklamakan desert. This print was one of many Buddhist artworks commissioned by Cao to aid travelers to and from Dunhuang. The text, which identifies Guanyin as “Greatly Merciful, Greatly Compassionate Rescuer from Suffering,” calls upon the deity to bring an end to war and disease and to watch over the highways in and out of the oasis.

Artist

Lei Yanmei

Date

dated 947

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Paul Pelliot through the Morgan Library, 1924