Buddhist mural fragment of a Celestial Being

Date6th-7th century

Label TextThe renowned Buddhist mural paintings of the Kizil Caves, located west of Kucha city in Xinjiang province in west China, are in a Central Asian style that reflects Indian and Persian influences. This fragment was among many artifacts brought to Germany by explorer Albert von Le Coq (1860–1930) from expeditions to the Silk Road.

This mural shows a Buddhist being with the thumb and index finger on his right hand touching. His facial features are elegantly outlined in ink with ochre highlights, and the glittering headdress and mandorla (halo) are lavishly colored a vibrant blue with lapis lazuli mineral pigment.

The Kizil Caves are located west of Kucha city in Xinjiang province in west China. Over 250 caves survive today and are renowned for their Buddhist mural paintings in a Central Asian style that reflects Indian and Persian influences. This fragment was probably among many artifacts brought to Germany by explorer Albert von Le Coq (1860–1930) from expeditions to the Silk Road. It was collected by Edgar Worch (1800–1972), a Chinese art dealer active in Berlin and the uncle of former Seattle Art Museum curator Henry Trubner.

Object number2017.18

ProvenanceCollected by Edgar Worch, early 1900s; Henry Trubner family

Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Chronicles of a Global East, Oct. 20, 2022 - Oct. 22, 2023.

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Henry Trubner, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

DimensionsFrame: 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

MediumTempera on plaster, over straw and earth