Artist: unknown
Title: Ajanta, Cave 1, left of interior antechamber entrance, Vajrapani
Bodhisattva
Material: polychrome mural using primarily mineral pigments on clay
base
Site: Ajanta, Maharastra, India
Current Location: Ajanta, Maharastra, India
Period/Date: 5th century C.E.
Iconography/Iconology: Vajrapani demonstrates a Buddha's wisdom (prajna).
He is one of a
pair of bodhisattvas demonstrating the wisdom and compassion qualities of
a Buddha's enlightenment.
The other Bodhisattva is Avalokitesvara who demonstrates a Buddha's compassion
(karuna).
Stylistic Comments:These over-lifesize figures in cave I are one
of the miraculous survivals of
late 5th century painting in India. Their elegance, grace and vitality indicate
a highly
developed painting tradition of great importance. Because these caves were
patronized by the
Vakataka nobility, it is certain that the artists, working in this cave,
would have been the leading
artists of the period.
