2-748-163 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Wisdom King of Passion Aizen Myoo, 1300s. This painting depicts the Buddhist deity the Wisdom King of Passion Aizen Myoo, who converts carnal lust into a desire for enlightenment. Depicted with a red body and six arms, Aizen Myoo is encircled by a flaming halo—or mandorla—and sits on a lotus supported by a vase from which flow flaming, wish-fulfilling jewels. This medieval representation of Aizen Myoo conveys the colour palette, design complexity, fine-line work, and use of cut gold that characterize the most celebrated 14th-century Japanese Buddhist paintings.