Ascetics Collection

Yogi and Peacock
A yogi who keeps a tame peacock

Anthony the Great
3479433 Anthony the Great; (add.info.: The Desert Fathers (along with Desert Mothers) were early Christian hermits, ascetics

Ascetics before the Shrine of the Goddess, page from a dispersed series of the... early 19th cent. Creator: Unknown
Ascetics before the Shrine of the Goddess, page from a dispersed series of the Kedara Kalpa, early 19th century. The five pilgrims are shown engaged in three different activities

Joghi Wallahs at Benares, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Joghi Wallahs at Benares, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. Indian ascetics:.an exhibition of "joghi wallahs." These are a class of Hindoo religious mendicants

Monks meditate and die
Shahabad, India : six ascetics are meditating in the temple when a lamp sets light to a mat. Forbidden to move while meditating, they burn to a holy death. Date: 1939

Vision of Saint Romuald, c. 1631 (oil on canvas)
868074 Vision of Saint Romuald, c.1631 (oil on canvas) by Sacchi, Andrea (1599-1661); 310x175 cm; Vatican Museums and Galleries, Vatican City; (add.info.: Romuald (c.951 - 19 June, c.1025/27)

A Holy Hermit (oil on canvas)
868057 A Holy Hermit (oil on canvas) by Muziano, Girolamo (1532-92); Vatican Museums and Galleries, Vatican City; (add.info.: Un santo eremita); Photo © Stefano Baldini

Bathing of the Buddha Festival, Qing dynasty, 1833. Creator: Hua Ziyou
Bathing of the Buddha Festival, Qing dynasty, 1833. Annual celebration held to commemorate the birth of the historical Buddha

The Five Siddhas Make Their Way to the Kailasha Mountains, c. 1820 (opaque w / c on paper)
874009 The Five Siddhas Make Their Way to the Kailasha Mountains, c.1820 (opaque w/c on paper) by Purkhu (fl.c.1790-1820); 36.2 x49.1 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Saints Anthony and Paul in a Landscape, c. 1636-38 (oil on panel transferred to masonite)
ALM283426 Saints Anthony and Paul in a Landscape, c.1636-38 (oil on panel transferred to masonite) by Teniers, David the Younger (1610-90); 53x85.2 cm; Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College

Ascetics and the Holy Women, 1880s-90s (mosaic)
704378 Ascetics and the Holy Women, 1880s-90s (mosaic) by Burne-Jones, Edward Coley (1833-98); St Pauls Within the Walls, Rome, Italy; English, out of copyright

Two sages in discussion in a landscape, c. 1785 (opaque w / c & gold on paper)
874028 Two sages in discussion in a landscape, c.1785 (opaque w/c & gold on paper) by Indian School, (18th century); 21 x28.8 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Fakirs, c. 1862 (b / w photo)
498597 Fakirs, c.1862 (b/w photo) by Shepherd & Robertson (fl.1860s); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fakirs are Muslim Sufi ascetics.); British, out of copyright

Hindu ascetics with beds of nails, India (b / w photo)
5996602 Hindu ascetics with beds of nails, India (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hindu ascetics with beds of nails, India)

A Pilgrimage of the Mind, c. 1800 (opaque w / c on paper)
874488 A Pilgrimage of the Mind, c.1800 (opaque w/c on paper) by Indian School, (19th century); 14.13 x22.7 cm; San Diego Museum of Art, USA; (add.info.: A Shaivite ascetic, seated on a rug)

One Holy Man Comes Visiting Another, 1700-25 (opaque w / c & gold on paper)
874428 One Holy Man Comes Visiting Another, 1700-25 (opaque w/c & gold on paper) by Indian School, (18th century); 19.21 x9.68 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

A Wandering Sadhu, c. 1900 (opaque w / c on paper)
874044 A Wandering Sadhu, c.1900 (opaque w/c on paper) by Lal, Chajju (fl.1900); 23.2 x17.5 cm; San Diego Museum of Art, USA; (add.info)

An Audience with Rom Rishi, ca. 1700-1725. Creator: Unknown
An Audience with Rom Rishi, ca. 1700-1725

Ascetics monks burn to death in temple
Six ascetics of a Hindu sect are meditating in temple near Shahabad when a lamp falls & sets their mat alight; forbidden to move, they let themselves be roasted... Date: 1939

Saint Benedict Tempted in the Wilderness, 1430. Artist: Angelico, Fra Giovanni, da Fiesole (ca. 1400-1455)
Saint Benedict Tempted in the Wilderness, 1430. Found in the collection of Musee Conde, Chantilly

Scenes from the Lives of the Desert Fathers (Thebaid). Artist: Angelico, Fra Giovanni, da Fiesole (ca. 1400-1455)
Scenes from the Lives of the Desert Fathers (Thebaid). Found in the collection of Szepmuveszeti Muzeum, Budapest

Base Seated Buddha Figures Ascetics 2nd half
Base for a Seated Buddha with Figures of Ascetics, 2nd half of the 2nd Century. Pakistan, Gandhara, Kushan Period (1st century-320)

Page Late Shah Jahan Album Prince Ascetics 1630
Page from the Late Shah Jahan Album: Prince and Ascetics, c. 1630. Attributed to Govardhan (Indian, active c.1596-1645). Opaque watercolor, gold

Fakir on Bed of Nails
An ascetic lies on his bed of nails, knowing that if he distributes his weight evenly, its not that bad

Asia, Nepal, Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, Durbar Square, Sahdu

Fakir Invokes Rain
A fakir of Northern India invokes his gods to bring rain Date: 1891

On a Bed of Nails
A passer-by gives a donation to a fakir who lies on a bed of nails Date: 19th century ?

Hindu Fakir
A Hindu fakir Date: 1884

Fakir with Hooks in Back
Placing hooks in the back of a fakir : not only is the process painful, but the wounds will fester and lead to further pain, apart from the discomfort Date: circa 1900

India Saddhu
An Indian saddhu (ascetic) Date: 1914

Fakirs in India
Fakirs (Muslim Sufi ascetics) in India, some with whitened faces. Date: circa 1890s

Siva (Shiva) Hindu god with contrasting qualities of destructive and renovating power. God of arts, ascetics and learning. Third member of Hindu Trimurti. 950 AD bronze from Tamil Nadu, India

Indian Penitents
What may look like headstands is really a position of penitence. These Indian girls are copying the position of the holy ascetics (Saddhus), who sit like this for hours. Date: 1930s

School of Pythagoras in Croton
School of Pythagoras. The Ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras (c.580-c.490 BC, centre) established an eccentric religious community at Croton, in southern Italy

Yogi Self-Mutilators
Indians who mutilate themselves by slashing their bodies

Two Seated Ascetics
One ascetic holds his arms above his head till they atrophy, another sits and meditates

Two Indian Fakirs, 1730
Two fakirs : the one standing is holding his arms above his head till they waste away, and so is his sleeping companion (which means they never use their hands for anything)

Fakir hanging over a fire, India
A fakir in India hangs over a fire for three hours without manifesting any signs of pain

Indian Ascetic Begs
An ascetic, with chains on his neck and wrists, holds out his begging-bowl

Indian Fakirs
Two fakirs stand or lie in uncomfortable positions, to the greater glory of their gods

Yogi Penitents
A group of Yogi penitents

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"Journey into the Realm of Ascetics: Exploring the Spiritual Path" In a world filled with chaos and distractions, ascetics stand as beacons of tranquility and enlightenment. Like yogis gracefully imitating peacocks, they embody grace and wisdom in their pursuit of divine connection. One cannot mention ascetics without delving into the mystical realm of Turkey's Whirling Dervishes from the Mevlevi Order. With their mesmerizing whirling dance, these devout individuals seek spiritual ecstasy, transcending earthly boundaries to unite with the divine. Monks meditate and die; such is their unwavering commitment to detachment from worldly desires. They find solace in silence, seeking inner peace through introspection and self-discipline. Artistic masterpieces throughout history have captured glimpses into the lives of these dedicated souls. From Saint Romuald's visionary experiences depicted on canvas to holy hermits finding solace amidst nature's embrace, art immortalizes their devotion for generations to come. The Bathing of Buddha Festival during China's Qing dynasty showcases a profound reverence for purity and cleansing rituals. It symbolizes shedding material attachments while embracing spiritual rebirth—a testament to ascetic ideals across cultures. The Five Siddhas' arduous journey towards Kailasha Mountains exemplifies determination in traversing treacherous paths towards ultimate enlightenment. Their dedication inspires us all to overcome obstacles hindering our own spiritual growth. Saints Anthony and Paul find harmony within nature's landscapes as they renounce worldly pleasures in search of higher truths. These depictions remind us that solitude can lead one closer to divinity if embraced with sincerity. Even mosaics depicting ascetics alongside holy women serve as reminders that spirituality knows no gender boundaries or societal norms—everyone has equal access to transcendence when driven by pure intentions. Lastly, two sages engaged in deep discussion amidst a serene landscape illustrate how dialogue fosters intellectual growth along the spiritual journey.