Sacred Visions: Early Paintings from Central Tibet

From Library Journal
Buddhist art reflects the culture that created it, and the wide divergence of expression in Buddhism is well illustrated by these two catalogs of Tibetan and Japanese art. Not only are the two countries far distant, but their understanding of the precepts of Buddha are radically different. The Tibetan paintings presented in Sacred Visions are attempts to elucidate the mysteries of Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism. Intricate mandalas, multilimbed deities linked in sexual union, serene monks, and images of the many concepts of Buddha are well illustrated in vibrant color photos, each accompanied by a page of religious explanation and artistic analysis. The vivid colors and intricate designs are well conveyed, but slick paper and modern printing don't do justice to the velvety surface of the originals. The Japanese treasures from Nara are so beautifully photographed that it is a pity the photographers are not credited; their contribution matches that of the three writers. Conveying the three-dimensionality of sculpture in photographs is a subtle and exacting art, and the Cleveland Museum has created an exhibition catalog that will have lasting value by virtue of its attention to the quality of photography and printing. The broader range of both the text and the objects illustrated?sculpture, paintings, ceramics, furniture, and bronzes?will bring a broader audience to Buddhist Treasures from Nara, while the narrow focus of Sacred Visions will increase its value to scholars of religion and art.?David McClelland, PhiladelphiaCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


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This magnificently illustrated catalogue documents a landmark exhibition of more than sixty of the finest extant Tibetan works from museums and private collections around the world. These dazzling paintings on cloth and other objects dating from the eleventh to the fifteenth century...are brought together here for the first time, and many of them are previously unpublished. The authors analyze style, iconography, provenance and date; the profound cultural ties between Tibet and eastern India as well as between Tibet and Nepal; and the painting techniques of the period.


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