清康熙 1695年 坐佛畫像

ink and colour on silk, lined on canvas, finely painted with the Buddha seated in vajraparyankasana on a stepped throne detailed with coiled dragons and two guardians to the lower register, a burning candle set in a glass sphere in front, his face with fine features set in a serene expression, all surrounded by a nimbus of light against multicolored clouds, with a floating canopy and flying apsaras scattering flowers above, inscribed with two dedications along the lower edge, the first providing a list of the donors for the reconstruction of the Zhou family temple in the Quwo country, the other referring to Miaoyun, disciple of abbot Xuanqing and dating the painting to the 3rd month of the 34th year of the Kangxi reign (1695), framed

As visible in the catalogue photo, the top section of the painting is missing a small section where it was remounted. There may be a small area on the other sides cut in the mounting process. There are characteristic creases to the silk, mostly horizontal where it was rolled. Some of the creases have been slightly retouched. General fading in areas. Other minor tears and general surface wear and losses.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

自明中始，佛教畫像，如本品類，多為私家所供，於水陸法會所用。水陸法會，佛教最為隆重之盛會，廣施齋食，救拔六道眾生，詳細可參考，Daniele B. Stevenson，< Text, Image and Transformation in the History of the Shuilu Fahui, The Buddhist Rite for Deliverance of Creatures of Water and Land >，Marsha Weidner，《Cultural Intersections in Later Chinese Buddhism》，夏威夷，2001年，頁30-72。