Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v2.c8.s2.6

v2.c8.s2.6

To the right of the *Arhats*, amidst conventional hills, represented by red, green, and white blocks, are a *Yaksha* and *Yakshiṇī*, bringing offerings of lotus flowers to the Bodhisattva. These two figures have been painted with great care and feeling. The head of the *Yaksha* is unfortunately damaged, but the treatment of the other limbs, particularly of the fingers, is extremely artistic. The pose is also most graceful; he has placed one hand on the shoulder of his consort, and with the other has made a loop indicating the mystery of life or the wheel of faith, *dharmacakra*. In the delineation of the hair and the pearl jewellery the artist's skill is marvellous, the brush lines showing a fineness peculiar to Eastern art. The effect of the body being painted in the round has been produced by dark-brown washes along the outline, and a deep-green background has enhanced the perspective. On the golden-brown skin of the *Yaksha* the pearl-white jewellery looks very beautiful, and the ribbons of the hair knot flying at the back suggest an idea of movement.