Artwork Page for Bodhidharma

Details / Information for Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma

菩提達磨図

early to mid-1500s

attributed to Unkei Eii 雲渓 永怡

(Japanese, active c. 1504–1555)
Culture
Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573)
Medium
hanging scroll; ink on paper
Measurements
Painting: 56.6 x 25.9 cm (22 5/16 x 10 3/16 in.); Mounted: 127.5 x 27.7 cm (50 3/16 x 10 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.472
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Chan (Japanese: Zen) Buddhism was introduced to China in the early 500s by Indian monk Bodhidharma (Japanese: Bodai Daruma; died before 534). It is said that upon his arrival in China, Bodhidharma was permitted to meet with Emperor Wu (reigned 502–49) of the Liang dynasty. Realizing the emperor did not understand his religious goals, the monk left and crossed the Yangzi River on a reed, settling in Henan Province’s Shaolin Monastery. This painting is a portrait of Bodhidharma accompanied by an inscription refering to his encounter with Emperor Wu.
A hanging scroll in black ink depicts Bodhidharma, a man with light skin tone, looking up and to our left. He has wide-set eyes, a prominent nose, a full beard, and elongated earlobes. Thick, gestural brushstrokes define his robe in the lower foreground. Above him, columns of calligraphy extend down the upper center. The paper panel is bordered by a gold floral textile.

Bodhidharma

early to mid-1500s

Unkei Eii

(Japanese, active c. 1504–1555)
Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573)

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