Thirty-three Deity Vajradhatu Mandala

16th century

A mandala can be two- or three-dimensional and represents the sacred cosmic abode of a deity. The sanctified structure—seen from above—is square, with portals at the four cardinal directions. Three circles surround this mandala, the middle ring representing the eight death grounds that symbolize elements of consciousness that are obstacles to enlightenment. During meditation, a person would visualize, in three-dimensional space, crossing these rings and entering the gates in a progression towards the center. Here, three enclosure walls frame the central circle, with eight figures on the perimeter surrounding a deity (with three heads and six arms and wearing a crown of skulls) embracing his consort.

Watercolor on cotton

Overall h.: 38 1/2 in.

Overall w.: 18 1/2 in.

Image h.: 20 in.

Image w.: 17 in.

Diam.: 15 1/2 in.

Margaret E. Fuller Purchase Fund

64.16

Provenance: [William H. Wolff, Inc., New York]; purchased from gallery by Seattle Art Museum, 1964

Photo: Scott Leen

Now on view at the Asian Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Luminous: The Art of Asia, October 13, 2011 - January 8, 2012.

Portland, Oregon, Portland Art Museum, Gift to a City: Masterworks from the Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection in the Seattle Art Museum, November 3 - 28, 1965.

Published ReferencesGift to a city : masterworks from the Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection in the Seattle Art Museum, exh. cat. Portland, OR: Portland Art Museum, 1965; cat. no. 99.

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM