Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s37: The Buddha Preaching to the Congregation
Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s37
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The Buddha Preaching to the Congregation
v4.c16.s37.1
Plate LXXVII b
v4.c16.s37.2
*The scene is painted over the third cell-door in the left aisle of Cave XXII.*
v4.c16.s37.3
As the fresco is much damaged and the principal figures near the Buddha are not complete, it will be hazardous to identify the subject with any legend or event of the life of the Buddha. The Great Being is shown sitting on a throne with two royal attendants holding *chaurīs* in their hands. They may be Bodhisattvas. Towards the left of the throne were probably the figures of women, some of which appear to have been completed, but two of them were left incomplete, as can be seen near the end of the fresco. These figures are interesting as showing how the artist worked on the modelling by using pinkish washes before applying other colours, and inserting brush-lines which indicated costume, jewellery, and minor features of the body.¹ On the right side of the throne were probably male figures representing *devas*, some of whom appear to be dressed as princes and others as *bhikshus*.
v4.c16.s37.4
¹ These incomplete figures are clear in the original which are quite faithful reproductions. *Ajanta Paintings*, fresco, and Griffiths has published hand-copies of them ii, Plate 155.
v4.c16.s37.5
In the fresco, as it is now, the pose of the two royal attendants and the modelling of the two female figures referred to above are the only artistic features worthy of notice.