Five Hundred Arhats · No.179 Venerable Peak of Virtue (Deding) | Hand-Painted Chinese Ink Wash Buddhist Figure Painting | 100×50cm

Five Hundred Arhats · No.179 — Venerable Peak of Virtue (Deding)

“Peak of virtue” is the very summit of merit—virtue accumulated high until it reaches the unsurpassed; the name expresses one whose merit is at its utmost, with none to equal him. The Venerable has a lofty expression and an outstanding air, possessing the transcendence of merit climbed to its peak, of every virtue made perfect, of the unsurpassed summit—like mounting a high mountain from which all below seems small.

Painted by Li Zongyi in the traditional Chinese freehand (xieyi) ink style: the brushwork flows freely while layered tones of ink interplay, revealing the Arhat's spirit with only a few masterly strokes. The unpainted space breathes with Zen (Chan) atmosphere, balancing form and spirit and fusing religious solemnity with the refined charm of literati art. Each of the Five Hundred Arhats bears its own name and practice; every piece is a one-of-a-kind, irreproducible hand-painted original that combines devotional, artistic and collectible value.

Approx. 100×50 cm (about 4.5 Chinese sq. ft.) | Traditional hand-painted Chinese ink painting · Zen Buddhist figure | Ink on paper

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