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On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1 |
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alone is found in pictures attended by his demon-host. Thus
in a fine painting (Fig. 100) executed by the hand of a
master, we are shown Vaisravana advancing on a cloud
across the heaving ocean and followed by an imposing suite
of attendants, some human, some demonic.
I cannot pause to indicate all the numerous points of
interest, artistic as well as iconographic, which this ex-
quisite little picture offers. It impresses the eye by the sure
delicacy of the drawing, the harmonious colouring and the
perfect balance observed in the disposition of the figures.
The Lokapala's crown recalls the royal head-dress of a
Sasanian 'king of kings' and is unmistakably derived from
Iran. In the majestically rolling waves of the sea and
the mountain range on the horizon admirably conveying
distance, special gifts of Chinese pictorial art find striking
expression.
Among the large number of paintings which show us
Buddhist divinities of higher rank depicted in specific func-
tions or in hieratic assemblies, I may introduce one at the
outset as a significant illustration of the difficulties which
at present beset the dating of such specimens of early
Buddhist painting in China. It is the beautiful picture
showing Avalokitesvara in the act of guiding a soul to his
heaven (Frontispiece). It is a noble composition, drawn
with grace and dignity. On account of the coiffure and
dress of the lady whose graceful figure, bowed in devout re-
liance on the divine guide, symbolizes a devout soul, this fine
picture had at first been assumed to date from post-T'ang
times. The supposed indication has, however, been dis-
proved by the remains of a very remarkable painted scroll
discovered by me at Turfan in a Chinese tomb (see Ch.
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561
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571
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578
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