Virupa
early 1400s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
Virupa is one of the great teachers in the history of tantric Buddhism. His posture references his ability to stop the sun; as an enlightened being, he can control phenomena of nature. As a tantric practitioner, he overturns ordinary assumptions about proper behavior, so he overeats, drinks large quantities of liquor, and waits for the king to pay his bill at the tavern.
At the edge of the lotus pedestal is an inscription identifying the image as having been made in the imperial kilns of the third emperor of the Ming dynasty in China as a gift to a Tibetan monastic leader. While closely linked to Tibetan styles, the luxurious detailing, special gilding process, and the casting of the ornaments onto the body without use of inlay are specifically Chinese characteristics.
- Title: Virupa
- Date Created: early 1400s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 43.6 cm (17 3/16 in.)
- Provenance: Purchased from an Indian dealer in Kathmandu, Nepal, (J. J. Klejman Gallery, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Type: Sculpture
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1972.96
- Medium: Gilt bronze with silver, stones, and pigment
- Fun Fact: Virupa's clothing and jewelry are embellished with silver and stones, while pigments enhance his hair and eyes.
- Department: Chinese Art
- Culture: China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Yongle reign (1403-1424)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mary B. Lee, C. Bingham Blossom, Dudley S. Blossom III, Laurel B. Kovacik, and Elizabeth B. Blossom, in memory of Elizabeth B. Blossom
- Collection: China - Ming Dynasty
- Accession Number: 1972.96
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