← Religion & Culture

Cultural Depictions of Divine Figures

Variety of historical religious art depicting divine figures and scenes, showcasing rich colors and intricate illustrations from different cultures.

17th century murals on ceiling in Digambar Jain temple at Tirupparuttikunram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

Adoration of 24 elders. Christ in Majesty, surrounded by symbols of evangelists. Elders hold stringed instruments and raise cups in salutation. Scenes surrounded by angels 'Apocolypse of St-Sever' (11th century Latin manuscript). British Museum, London.

Krishna sporting with the gopis in the Jumna River, from a Bhagavata Purana, c. 1525-50. Northern India. Gum tempera and ink on paper; overall: 16.5 x 22.2 cm (6 1/2 x 8 3/4 in.).

Myanmar (Burma), Sagaing State, Hpo Win Mounts, Po Win Daung, the Queen caves, wall paintings showing the itinerary of Buddha to the purification, the red ceiling is representative of the end of the 17th century

Jain Pilgrimage Indian. Jain Pilgrimage, ca. 1750. Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton, 30 5/16 x 37 13/16in. (77 x 96cm). Asian Art ca. 1750

17th century murals on ceiling in Digambar Jain temple at Tirupparuttikunram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series Indian. Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series, ca. 1610-1650. Opaque watercolor on paper, 9 x 14 in. (22.9 x 35.6 cm). This is a page from a manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana, a lengthy Hindu scripture dedicated to the god Krishna, who is said to have lived on earth as a prince. The episode has not been firmly identified, but it depicts a city being besieged by demons. The artist employed a clever device to illustrate the siege with an economy of means, floating the crenellated square of the city walls in space so we can see that it is surrounded on all sides. At either end we see multistoried urban buildings populated by demons (in the upper left unit) and regular people, including a family at the upper right and a woman worshipping a small image of a goddess at the lower left. The compartmentalization and inventive abstraction of this image are both typical of paintings made in Central India, in a region once known as Malwa. Asi

Vatsala and Abhimanyu being Blessed by Elders, Scene from the Story of the Marriage of Abhimanyu and Vatsala, Folio from a Mahabharata (War of the Great Bharatas). India, Maharashtra, Paithan, circa 1850. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor on paper

17th century murals on ceiling in Digambar Jain temple at Tirupparuttikunram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

The Entry into Jerusalem. .

India, Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli, Thiruppudaimarudur temple, murals in Narumpoonathaswamy Temple, 17th century

Watercolour painting of Rama and Lakshmana in Conference with Sugriva, the Monkey King, and other companions. Scene from the Story of the Burning of Lanka, Folio from a Ramayana (Story of Rama), Maharashtra, c.1850. The Ramayana is a story as old as time and - at least in the Indian subcontinent and across much of Southeast Asia - of unparalleled popularity. More than 2300 years ago the scholar-poet Valmiki sat down to write his definitive epic of love and war. The poem Valmiki composed is styled the Ramayana, or 'Romance of Rama' in Sanskrit. In its present form, the Sanskrit version consists of some 24,000 couplets divided into seven books.

The Beatus of the Cathedral of El Burgo de Osma was produced in 1086 and contains 71 miniatures by the painter Martinus. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament.

The Parable of the Lame Man and the Blind Man by Russian icon / State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg/ Mid of 16th cen./ Russia, Novgorod School/ Tempera on panel/ Russian icon painting/ 64x45,6/ Bible

Battle of the Forces of Krishna and Bana, from a copy of the Dispersed Bhagavat Purana 1520-1550 India. Opaque watercolor on paper .

Abu Zayd standing before the govenor of Ramba in Baghdad, Arabic miniature, 1237.

A photograph taken of Tomb WV23, in the Valley of the Kings, was the final resting place of Pharaoh Ay of the 18th Dynasty. Discovered by Giovanni Battista Belzoni in the winter of 1816, its structure is similar to that of the tomb of Akhenaten, with a straight undecorated, descending corridor, leading to a "well chamber" that has no shaft. The passage leads to the burial chamber, which currently contains the reconstructed sarcophagus. Ay was the penultimate Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 18th dynasty. He held the throne of Egypt for a brief four-year period (probably 1323-1319 BC or 1327-1323 BC

Ravanas sister complains that her nose was cut off by Lakshmana as the demons prepare to depart to capture Sita, from the “Shangri” Ramayana, 1690-1710. Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom. Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper; page: 21.6 x 31.8 cm (8 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.); miniature: 18.4 x 28.9 cm (7 1/4 x 11 3/8 in.). In one of Indias major Hindu epics, the Ramayana, the god Vishnu incarnated himself as the hero Rama in order to defeat the powerful demon Ravana, who has 20 arms and 10 heads, seen in the boat at the upper right. This scene takes place on the island of Lanka, Ravanas capital, surrounded by a golden brick wall and populated by his demon minions. Just inside the door, Ravanas sister, the demoness with crimson hair, is demanding that her brother avenge the severing of her nose by Ramas brother. Ravana decided then to abduct Ramas wife, Sita, the act that propelled the climactic battle.The place where this important, extensive Ramayana series was pain

'Buddhistic Monastery'. Nepal (), late 19th century. Dimensions: 61x53 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

Painting of lord krishna dancing with gopis, nathdwara, rajasthan, india, asia Copyright: xRajeshxVora/DinodiaxPhotox

Krishna Holding Govardhan Mountain, Miniature Painting on Wall of Chitrashala, Bundi, Rajasthan, India Copyright: xNitinxKelvalkar/DinodiaxPhotox

Murals, Ananda temple, Bagan Pagan, Myanmar Burma, Asia

French 19th century, coloured woodblock illustration showing the penitent Saint Mary Magdalene, who, according to texts included in the New Testament, travelled with Jesus as one of his followers.

Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon, Raktabij, and Kali Lapping up the Demon's Blood, Page from a Markandeya Purana Series Indian. , 1800-1825. Opaque watercolor on paper, sheet: 11 1/8 x 15 in. (28.3 x 38.1 cm). Asian Art 1800-1825

Ashtamivrata stories, mythical tales of King Krakika, detail from Mandala of Amoghapasa, 1860, gouache on canvas, Nepal. Nepalese Civilisation, 19th century.

Burma/Myanmar: Buddha fresco at the Khay Min Gha Temple (12th century), Bagan (Pagan) Ancient City (2015)

Ashburnam Pentateuch or Tours Pentateuch. 5th-6th c. Representation of Moses in the Mount Sinai, the Tables of the Law and the tabernacle. Visigothic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. LE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library. Proc: SPAIN.

The invasion of the Tatar-Mongols. The Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus' was part of the Mongol invasion of Europe, in which the Mongol Empire invaded and conquered Kievan Rus' in the 13th century, destroying numerous cities.

Altar Frontal with Deesis 15th century Eastern European (Romanian ()). Altar Frontal with Deesis 467678

Krishna and gopis painting, mattancherry palace, kochi, kerala, india, asia Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Aztec dancing to the rhythm of drums, miniature from the History of the Indies by Diego Duran (1537-1588), 1579 manuscript, folio 305 recto.

Front shrine rear wall niche back wall pavilion scenerubbing

Escena guerrera en un manuscrito iluminado.Mevlna Müzesi.(Epoca Selyucida).Konya.Anatolia Centrall.Turquia.

Siddhartha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from ancient India who founded Buddhism. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: most early 20th-century historians dated his lifetime as c. 563 BCE to 483 BCE, but more recent opinion dates his death to between to between 486 and 483 BCE or, according to some, between 411 and 400 BCE. Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai - Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai. The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign

Adoration of Christ Child, Russia, St. Petersburg, State Russian Museum,

Krishna and the Cowherds Receiving Garlands in Mathura, Folio from the "Tularam" Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord). India, Gujarat, Surat (), circa 1625-1650. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper

TAPIZ DE TOURNAI(BELGICA)- EL CREDO. Location: MUSEOS VATICANOS-GALERIA DE LOS TAPICES. VATICANO. JESUS. EVE. APOSTLE PETER. DIOS PADRE.

Scene from the Story of Buddha Ushnisha, from a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali) 1301-1500 Tibet. Ink and watercolor on paper .

Schutzgötter der tibetischen Regierung und des Buddhismus Protective deities of the Tibetan government and Buddhism, Tibet, 20th century, panel painting, MuEC, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain LicenseRF Copyright: xZoonar.com/Tolox 23171189

MANUSCRITO D'AL-HARîRî-AÑO 1227-EL NACIMIENTO-MS.AR.5847-FOL 122-. Author: AL WASITI. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

Church of Elijah the Prophet (1647-50), interior, west gallery, with ceramic ornament and fresco of Last Judgement, the weighing of souls (1715-16), Yaroslavl', Russia. Brumfield photograph collection. Murals,Russia Federation,1990-2000. , Russia Federation,Yaroslavskaia oblast ,Yaroslavl .

Illustration with Solovetsky Monastery by anonymous artist, Watercolor on parchment, 1596-1598, Russia, Moscow, Art State History Museum, 31x20,5

A boat sails towards a floating vision of Ganesh as a child. Engraving by an Indian artist, 1800s.

BEATO DE SAN SALVADOR DE TABARA, 975- COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS , SIEGA, VENDIMIA Y LAGAR DE LA IRA DE DIO, MOZARABE. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO CAPITULAR. GERONA. SPAIN. JESUS.

As the ancestor of Female Immortals, the Queen Mother of the West lives in the Kunlun Mountains, in a city of one thousand miles with twelve jade mansions, green light halls, nine-storey primordial chambers, and purple and green elixir chambers. To the left is the Jade Lake, and to the right are the Green Mountains. All women who have attained immortality in the three realms and ten directions, in Heaven or in the human world, are under the rule of the Queen Mother of the West.

Pitsa panels. Wooden panels featuring tempera-painted figures found near Pitsa in the vicinity of the ancient Greek city of Sicyon. Dated around 540 BC. Detail from Panel 1. Procession corresponding to a sacrifice to the nymphs. A man (not shown in full in this detail, on the left) and three women, wearing chitons and peplos, are walking towards an altar. They are accompanied by two musicians playing the lyre and the aulos. The woman in front of the altar appears to be pouring a libation from a jug. A child behind her, possibly a slave, leads the lamb to be offered in sacrifice. A Corinthian inscription shows the names of the women: Euthydika, Etheloncha and Eucholis, mentioning that the offering is dedicated to the nymphs. National Archaeological Museum. Athens, Greece.

Saint Mary Magdalene Pray for Us. Dated: c. 1820. Dimensions: sheet: 31 x 39.4 cm (12 3/16 x 15 1/2 in.). Medium: hand-colored woodcut on laid paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: French 19th Century.

Disguised Ghatotkacha () in Vatsala's House, Scene from the Story of the Marriage of Abhimanyu and Vatsala, Folio from a Mahabharata ([War of the Great Bharatas). India, Maharashtra, Paithan, circa 1850. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor on paper

Jain Pilgrimage Indian. Jain Pilgrimage, ca. 1750. Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton, 30 5/16 x 37 13/16in. (77 x 96cm). Asian Art ca. 1750

The Adoration of Krishna, c. 1700, 7 1/2 x 10 5/8 in. (19.05 x 26.99 cm), Opaque watercolors on paper, India, 17th-18th century, The Bhagavata Purana (The Ancient Story of the Blessed One) is the most frequently depicted Sanskrit chronicle of Vishnu, the great preserver. One of his eight incarnations is Krishna, the blue-skinned hero being worshipped here. In the extreme upper-left corner of this compartmentalized painting is a four-headed figure of Brahma, the creator. Adjacent to this, disciples are seated with Krishna in a forest setting. Farther to the right, Krishna is shown at a different time alone in the forest. The central register illustrates Krishna and his devotees to the left and the same god standing before Brahma on the right. The lower register shows Krishna with disciples and a herd of cows in combination with a circular tondo, or medallion, filled with seven seated priests. The device of compartmentalization allowed artists to illustrate the main hero of a story line

Cave 17, the Ajanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are 30 Buddhist cave monuments hewn in rock from the second century BC. BC until about 480 AD near the village of Ajintha in the Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India. Cave 17, the Ajanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are 30 Buddhist cave monuments hewn in rock from the second century BC. BC until about 480 AD near the village of Ajintha in the Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India.

Curtain. Red curtain from a armenians monastery of holy Etchmiadzin,Armenia,1789 year. Copyright: xZoonar.com/MikhailxPogosovx 2343592

The Beatus of the Cathedral of El Burgo de Osma was produced in 1086 and contains 71 miniatures by the painter Martinus. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament.

The Mahasiddha (Great Adept) Vanaratna (1384-1468) Receiving Abhishekha (Initiation) from Sita Tara (White Tara). Nepal, Patan, Pintu Bahi, dated 1469. Paintings. Mineral pigments on cotton cloth

Shrinathji wall painting, Jhalawar, Rajasthan, India, Asia Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Dormition of the Virgin surrounded by the Apostles, altar frontal of Santa Maria de Iguacel, XIII century, tempera painting on pine wood, Diocesan Museum of Jaca, Huesca, Spain.

Hermit Saints (Schr. 1773b). Artist: Anonymous, German, 15th century. Dimensions: sheet: 5 11/16 x 4 3/4 in. (14.5 x 12 cm). Date: 15th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Laos, Luang Prabang, Temple, Vat Mai, Detail Of Golden Carving

History of Muhammad and the First Four 'Rightly Guided' Caliphs. Muhammad and his calvarymen. Persian art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.

17th century murals fresco paintings of Ramayana epic in Kokarneswarar temple ceiling at Thirukokarnam, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

17th century murals fresco paintings of Ramayana epic in Kokarneswarar temple ceiling at Thirukokarnam, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Iran, Tehran, Laleh Park, Carpet Museum of Iran, traditional Iranian carpet detail

Kalamkari paintings Ramayana story Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Scholars in the Abode of Wisdom, a science academy, Baghdad. 14th century manuscript.

The Pantheon Bible by Anonymous / Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana / 1125-1130 /Watercolour on parchment / Bible / 60,5x39

Embroidered picture, Medium: silk, metal Technique: satin and stem stitch embroidery on plain weave, Illustrating a biblical subject, the visit of the three angels to Abraham. A servant of Abraham is washing the feet of one of the guests; two others are seated at a table that has been prepared under the tree. Sarah appears in the door of her tent., late 16th century, embroidery & stitching, Embroidered picture

300 year- old wall paintings murals frescoes in Uma Maheswarar temple in Konerirajapuram near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Brahma with attendants and musicians. Artist: Unidentified Artist. Culture: Korea. Dimensions: Image: 85 × 87 in. (215.9 × 221 cm)Overall with mounting: 132 × 97 in. (335.3 × 246.4 cm)Overall with knobs: 132 × 101 3/4 in. (335.3 × 258.4 cm). Date: late 16th century.Originally a Hindu deity, Brahma (Korean: Beomcheon) was incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon and, along with the Hindu god Indra (Korean: Jeseok), became the protector of Buddhist teachings. The Brahma heaven was interpreted as a place of pleasure filled with entertainers and musicians. In this work, lithe figures playing instruments, such as a mouth organ, a long transverse flute, a two-stringed violin, a four-stringed lute with a crooked neck, wood clappers, and a triangular wind instrument made of clay, surround the towering Brahma at center. Ceremonial fans and bejeweled canopies held by assistants in the top row float above the festive scene.Buddhist paintings on hemp were commissioned by non-royals, while membe

The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 孜尔千佛洞; pinyin: Kèzīěr Qiānfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha. This area was a commercial hub of the The Silk Road. The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.

Rustam with slave girl at wedding feats 1562. No faces. Muslim rule. India.

The Conquest of Mexico (1519-1521). Depicted scenes: Hernan Cortes destroying the fleet; War in Cholula; Cholultecas indians kneeling before the king of Spain (obedience to the king); Towards to Cholula the Friar Bartolome de Olmedo baptizing seven Indians; Punishment received by the Indians spies of Xicotencatl: they cut their hands; They eat dog meat because of hunger. Table belonging to a set of 6 made with the 'enconchado' technique (fragments of mother-of-pearl embedded in the wooden surface, and soft layers of paint are added to the shiny surface. Anonymous author. Oil and nacre. 1676-1700. Mexican School. Viceroyalty of New Spain. Mexico. Museum of the Americas. Madrid, Spain.

The Mogao Caves, or Mogao Grottoes (Chinese: mogao ku), also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas and Dunhuang Caves, form a system of 492 temples 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China. The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years. The first caves were dug out 366 CE as places of Buddhist meditation and worship. The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are one of the three famous ancient sculptural sites of China. The caves also have famous wall paintings.

Ankh, symbol of life surmounted by the Sun symbol Ra. Isis and Nephthys on each side.

Ramayana painting in the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

A discussion in a village (Bagdad), Arabic miniature from the Maqamat (The settings) by Al-Hariri, manuscript, 1237.

The Book of Kells (Irish: Leabhar Cheanannais) (Dublin, Trinity College Library, MS A. I. (58), sometimes known as the Book of Columba) is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created by Celtic monks ca. 800 or slightly earlier. The text of the Gospels is largely drawn from the Vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina. It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure. The illustrations and ornamentation of the Book of Kells surpass that of other Insular Gospel books in extravagance and complexity. The decoration combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic knot

Spain/Israel/Egypt: The Israelites crossing the Red Sea, tempera, gold and ink on parchment, from the Rylands Haggadah, Catalonia, c. 1300. John Rylands University Library, Manchester

Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai - Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai. The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign of Chao Phuttawong (r.1826-1846), the fourth ruler of the Chiang Mai Thipchang Dynasty. The murals, which are northern Thai in style with clear elements of Shan State and Konbaung Dynasty Burmese influence, are among the best in northern Thailand. They feature the jataka stories, past lives of the Buddha, and are interspersed with vern

Archery competition during youth of Gautama Siddartha, c.563-479 BC North Indian prince who became the Buddha, 19th century painting, Toueng-Houang, China

Twelve Deva Kings (Jūniten) 16th century Japan. Twelve Deva Kings (Jūniten) 45611

The Medawala Rajamaha Viharaya or Tempitiya Vihara, north of Kandy is a typical tempath vihara, a small wooden image house or shrine, placed on stilts or piles. The tempath vihara can be regarded as Kandys most significant contribution to Buddhist architecture, but there are not many specimen of its kind left. Some of the frescoes in the Rajamaha Viharaya depict the king and the royal family; but they also depict the everyday life of the commoners, such as a farmer tilling his field with the help of a white bull. One enigmatic painting shows a recumbent Buddha, sleeping safely tucked away behind a mosquito net. Though the frescoes exhibit all the hallmarks of the 18th century, the original construction of the Raja Mahavihara is said to go back to much earlier times. Despite the artistic merit of the frescoes, the most remarkable single feature in the image house is the small ivory figure of a Buddha. The figure is surrounded by an intricately carved wooden shrine.

Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai - Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai. The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign of Chao Phuttawong (r.1826-1846), the fourth ruler of the Chiang Mai Thipchang Dynasty. The murals, which are northern Thai in style with clear elements of Shan State and Konbaung Dynasty Burmese influence, are among the best in northern Thailand. They feature the jataka stories, past lives of the Buddha, and are interspersed with vern

BEATO DE SAN SALVADOR DE TABARA, 975- COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS, LA MUJER VESTIDA DE SOL Y EL DRAGON, MOZARABE. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: CATEDRAL-ARCHIVO CAPITULAR. GERONA. SPAIN. JESUS. VIRGEN APOCALIPTICA.

Book of Iconography. Nepal, late 19th century. Books. Ink on paper

Enthronement of a Mongol ruler. Right part of a double-page illustration of Rashid-al-Din's Jami' at-tawarih, 1st quarter of 14th century. Some faces have been defaced, no doubt by Muslim iconoclasts.

Ruler with jaguar skin sitting in a canoe and wearing a two-headed snake headdress Ruler with jaguar skin sitting in a canoe and wearing a two-headed snake headdress, polychrome vase, late classic, Santa María Nebaj, Maya Anthropology Museum, El Quiché Department, Guatemala Copyright: xZoonar.com/ToloxBalaguerx 22071774

Psalter depicting Christ ruling he world, with Jerusalem at its centre. The Omphalos, the central point, was marked in the Church of the Sepulchre. Dated 13th Century

Offerings to the gods, illustration taken from a reproduction of the Mixtec Code. Mexico, Mixtec Civilization.

Fresco, heavenly ladder, Manastirea Sucevita, Sucevita Monastery, Churches of Moldavia, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Romania, Europe

17th century murals fresco paintings of Ramayana epic in Kokarneswarar temple ceiling at Thirukokarnam, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Cai Wenji was born shortly before 178 CE in what is now Qi County, Kaifeng, Henan. In 195, the chaos after Chancellor Dong Zhuo's death brought Xiongnu nomads into the Chinese capital and Cai Wenji was taken as prisoner to the northern lands. During her captivity, she became the wife of the Xiongnu chieftain Liu Bao and bore him two sons. It was not until twelve years later that Cao Cao, the new Chancellor of Han, ransomed her in the name of her father. When Cai Wenji returned to her homeland, she left her children behind at the frontier. The reason Cao Cao needed her back, was that she was the only one remaining of her clan and he needed her to placate the spirits of her ancestors. Cai Wenji's father Cai Yong was an established writer, but his works were lost in the ravages of war. At Cao Cao's request, Cai Wenji was able to recite from memory up to four hundred out of four thousand of her father's lost works. Later in her life, she wrote two poems describing her turbulent years. Her

Death of the Buddha. Nishimura Shigenaga (attributed to) (Japan, circa 1697-1756). 1720s. Prints; woodblocks. Hand-colored woodblock print, tan-e

Old wall paintings, Cathedral of Cuernavaca, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Earliest 16th century Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl, Mexico, North America

MANUSCRITO D AL-HARîRî-1237-DISCUSION EN LA CIUDAD- CARAVANA LLEGANDO A UN PUEBLO - MâQâMAT. Author: YAHYA IBN MAHMUD AL WASITI (SIGLO XIII) PINTOR. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. France.

Bonad, The feast of _____; Sweden; hand painted on canvas; 159 x 73 cm (62 5/8 x 28 3/4 in.)

Brahma Worships Krishna, Page from a Dispersed Ramayana Series Indian. Brahma Worships Krishna, Page from a Dispersed Ramayana Series, ca. 1800. Opaque watercolor on paper, sheet: 9 3/8 x 15 in. (23.8 x 38.1 cm). Asian Art ca. 1800

Historical genealogical scene sent from Mexico by Hernan Cortes to Charles V in 1519, a copy of the Code of Vienna or Vindobonense, Mexico. Mixtec Civilization.

Santa Maria Canticle, # 63-F92R. The Virgin Mary saving a rider at the battle of San Esteban de Gormaz. Madrid, Libray of San Lorenzo del Escorial monastery. Author: ALFONSO X EL SABIO (1221-1284). Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN. VIRGIN MARY. FERNAN GONZALEZ HIJO. CONDE DON GARCIA FERNANDEZ. CONDE GARCIA FERNANDEZ.

Frescoes in the entrance of Horezu Monastery, Romania, Europe

of 3