Heavenly King Virudhaka

A blue-faced guardian king in armor and a flowing green-and-gold robe grips a long sword across his body, surrounded by swirling clouds and a streaming blue banner. Two attendant figures with dark skin and red-brown bodies support the scene, and fine gold and mineral pigments decorate the silk.

Look closer: A small dragon or serpent coils around the figure's raised arm at right, partly hidden by the robe.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1368–1644

Medium

hanging scroll; color on silk

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2334 × 3400 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Worcester R. Warner Collection