Thirty-three Deity Vajradhatu Mandala

16th century

A mandala can be two- or three-dimensional, and represents a sacred universe or palace with walls and gateways into which a deity descends. The sanctified structure—seen in bird’s eye view—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. In 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 two embracing deities in a dancing pose.

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 (Margaret E. Fuller Purchase Fund), 1964

Not currently on view

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", cat. # 99

Published References"Gift to a City" exhibition catalogue. Portland, OR: Portland Art Museum, 1965, cat. no. 99

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