In Buddhism, Avalokitasvara is a bodhisattva (one who follows the path towards awakening) who contains the compassion of all Buddhas. One story tells of him vowing to free all sentient beings from the cycle of reincarnation until his head splits into eleven pieces and his arms shatter. The Buddha Amitābha comes and gives him eleven heads and one thousand arms to help him aid the suffering multitudes. This original painting depicting the figure has been archivally presented in an ornate gold moulding from Larson Juhl’s “Calais” collection, linen liner from Larson Juhl, gold fillet from Decor, mat from Peterboro with hand-painted bevel, and Tru Vue Museum glass.