Scripture Buddha Doug Fir Background Art Print

Order Canvas or Paper, Matte or Gloss, multiple sizes available. These images are inspired from actual cave paintings from the Silk Road city of Dunhuang, in NW China. Ancient art with a pop art flair! This mudra or hand gesture with a book of scripture is unusual and rarely seen in depictions of the Buddha. The hands are held level with the heart and are indicative of teaching and turning the Wheel of Law. Dunhuang art is a unique artform free from the restraints of classical Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian art forms. The geographic location of Dunhuang allowed for enough isolation for its artists to be free of Imperial traditions and academic restrictions. The cartoon like coloration is indicative of Tibetan Thanka painting. The facial treatment demonstrates a love of Chinese Tang dynasty painting. The robustness and fullness of the body acknowledges the Indian concept of "inner light" radiating and bursting out from within. The love of rich ornamentation and depiction of jewels and flowing garments represents the outside manifestation of the beauty and awareness emerging from within. The ornamental halo represents the fire of awareness and the entire form emerges from a single Lotus blossom. The roots of the Lotus begin in the mud below. The stem grows up through the water giving birth to a heavenly scented flower which lies pristinely above the water. Basking in the sunlight, the pattern of growth of the Lotus signifies the progress of the soul. From the primeval mud of materialism, the Lotus surges through the waters of experience and emerges into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.