Mercy

The work "Mercy" reveals the main principle of Buddhist aesthetics – to be compassionate, merciful to all living beings. In the painting the opposites of evil and good are manifested in the dynamics of the sharp silhouettes of the rocks and the gentle contours of the clouds, the contrast of dark and light areas, combinations of additional colours – blue and orange, purple and yellow. The Lama's noble silhouette with his bowed head seems to radiate inner light and peace. In Buddhist philosophy, absolute peace embodies the highest tension and the creative power of the spirit. It is this force that is able to resist evil and transform the indolent consciousness of the bearers of invisible destruction. Interestingly, the source of inspiration (or prototype) for the composition was the painting “Saint Giles and the Deer” (circa 1500, National Gallery of London) by the Flemish artist, who was called Master of Saint Giles.