国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

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0296 Ruins of Desert Cathay : vol.2
中国砂漠地帯の遺跡 : vol.2
Ruins of Desert Cathay : vol.2 / 296 ページ(カラー画像)

New!引用情報

doi: 10.20676/00000213
引用形式選択: Chicago | APA | Harvard | IEEE

OCR読み取り結果

We find the general characteristics just indicated equally
represented in that class of paintings, mostly of large
size, which were meant for the decoration of walls, and
which represent groups of divine beings in more or less
elaborate composition. Among the many specimens of
this class I may call attention first to the fine picture suc-
cessfully reproduced in the coloured frontispiece of Vol. I.;
for it is unmistakably an original work of exceptional
artistic merit. It shows Vaisravana, the king of the
Northern Region, moving on a cloud across the ocean,
followed by a train of heavenly attendants and demons.
From his left rises a small cloud supporting a miniature
Stupa. His right hand carries the halberd, while bundles
of flames shoot up behind his shoulders, expressive of
rapid movement. His richly brocaded dress and elaborate
golden armour are represented with exquisite care, to
which reproduction on a scale necessarily so small cannot
do full justice.
It is the same with the figures and adornment of his
numerous host, among which variation of type and
expression is introduced with remarkable skill. The
individualizing touch bestowed on each demon's head
seems to bring these fantastic figures nearer to human
interest, as in a famous relievo of Graeco-Buddhist art
representing the demon army of Mara. On the extreme
left an aged demon-warrior is seen getting ready to shoot
his arrow at a Garuda, half-man half-bird, who escapes to
the heights of heaven. The big rolling waves of the ocean
are rendered with a freedom and irresistible dash which
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