Artwork Page for Seven Leaves from a Manuscript of the Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)

Details / Information for Seven Leaves from a Manuscript of the Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)

Seven Leaves from a Manuscript of the Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)

1000s-1100s

Nepal

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Medium
Gum tempera and ink on palm leaves
Measurements
Overall: 4.2 x 52.4 cm (1 5/8 x 20 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1955.49
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Russian artist Svyatoslav Roerich (1904–1993) collected 144 pages of this manuscript in India.

Description

These pages come from a long horizontal book of 355 palm leaves, now dispersed among many collections. Featuring the pilgrim Sudhana on his quest to reach enlightenment, the text was especially influential in the spread of Buddhism to East Asia. These leaves are from the sole surviving illustrated manuscript of this text in its original language of Sanskrit.
A horizontally oriented ensemble features seven palm leaves stacked vertically. Tempera and ink on tan surfaces depict dense blocks of black script framing central rectangular illustrations. Within these scenes, muted reds, greens, and blues portray figures under trees or inside arches. Repeated circular binding holes punctuate the strips, while frayed, uneven edges reveal the weathered texture of the antique leaves.

Seven Leaves from a Manuscript of the Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)

1000s-1100s

Nepal

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