Artwork Page for Monk Teaching Lay Disciple: Colophon page from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra

Details / Information for Monk Teaching Lay Disciple: Colophon page from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra

Monk Teaching Lay Disciple: Colophon page from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra

1279
This object has related works. See

Western India, Gujarat, Patan (Anahillapura), reign of King Sarangadeva of the Vaghela dynasty

(1275-1297)
View all records in artwork set
Medium
Gum tempera and ink on palm leaf
Measurements
Overall: 4.7 x 35.6 cm (1 7/8 x 14 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1971.124
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Before the use of paper, Indian books were written on palm leaves, bound by a string passed through the hole in the middle of the pages, which were turned horizontally. Often the paintings do not reference the story of the text because they may have functioned as adornments rather than illustrations. Virtuous scenes, such as a layman venerating a Jain monk, as seen on this page, were apparently thought to beautify a sacred text and made it more costly and visually appealing. By adding painted adornments, a donor can accrue greater religious merit.
A fragmented, horizontal palm leaf manuscript is inscribed with blocks of black Indic script. Four lines of text flank a red-bordered square ink and gum tempera painting on our right. Inside, a monk with light skin sits on a chair facing a woman kneeling on the ground. Clad in a red patterned garment, she raises her hands. The tan, striated leaf, featuring irregular edges and a central hole, serves as the background.

Monk Teaching Lay Disciple: Colophon page from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra

1279

Western India, Gujarat, Patan (Anahillapura), reign of King Sarangadeva of the Vaghela dynasty (1275-1297)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork