Untitled

Artist: M Shakeel
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 48 × 72 inches (121.92 × 182.88 cm)
Year: 2014

In this contemplative work, M. Shakeel renders a serene tableau deeply rooted in the iconographic traditions of ancient Buddhist art. Executed in oil on canvas with a textured, almost sculptural surface, the painting evokes the stylistic language of stone bas-reliefs found in sites such as Sanchi, Ajanta, or Gandhara. The composition masterfully blends painterly subtlety with the visual resonance of antiquity, inviting viewers into a meditative space where spirituality and history converge.

At the heart of the work is a central seated Buddha, rendered in a delicate palette of ochre-gold tones. The figure is draped in flowing robes, adorned with a yellow-beaded necklace that introduces a subtle ornamental detail without disrupting the compositional calm. With gently closed eyes and an expression of peaceful introspection, the Buddha anchors the composition both formally and thematically. A circular, patterned motif behind the head functions as a stylized halo or mandorla, an art historical reference that situates the figure within a sacred cosmology.

Flanking the central figure are two additional Buddhas, echoing the primary posture and attire, creating a symmetrical triad often seen in traditional depictions of the Buddha accompanied by Bodhisattvas or disciples. These figures contribute to a sense of timeless ritual, evoking continuity and reverence. Their placement and mirrored gestures reinforce the visual rhythm and spiritual gravity of the central figure.

The backdrop resembles time-worn stone or rock, textured with fissures, layers, and tonal variations that suggest both physical age and metaphysical depth. Within this weathered surface, Shakeel has intricately embedded a visual tapestry of animals, likely elephants and other symbolic fauna, interspersed with delicate floral and leafy motifs. These elements serve as both decorative and narrative devices, referencing the natural world’s integration into Buddhist cosmology and temple art traditions. Shakeel’s work is his ability to infuse a painted surface with the tactile illusion of relief sculpture, allowing oil on canvas to mimic stone’s permanence. His muted, earth-toned palette furthers the illusion of antiquity while maintaining a painter’s sensitivity to light and shadow. The result is a hybrid visual language that feels at once ancient and contemporary, devotional and aesthetic. This work stands as a poetic meditation on cultural memory, spiritual endurance, and the enduring power of sacred imagery to speak across time and tradition.