Arkivism
Sheet two from a series of four sheets with Chinese subjects
Public domain

Sheet two from a series of four sheets with Chinese subjects

anonymous · c. 1670 · engraving; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

These two fierce figures are vajradharas, guardians of Buddhist temples. They can also be seen in the form of large wooden sculptures elsewhere in this pavilion. The closed mouth of the left guard forms the word 'heng,' while the right one forms the word 'ha.' Together, they comprise the basis of their Chinese names: Hengha Erjiang. Later, these figures were incorrectly labeled as water and fire spirits, comparable to Christian beliefs.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
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Credit lineBlad twee uit een reeks van vier bladen met Chinese voorstellingen. c. 1670. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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