Artwork Page for Diagrams of the Universe: The Two-and-a-Half Continents, the Universe in the Shape of a Person, and the Seven Levels of Hell

Details / Information for Diagrams of the Universe: The Two-and-a-Half Continents, the Universe in the Shape of a Person, and the Seven Levels of Hell

Diagrams of the Universe: The Two-and-a-Half Continents, the Universe in the Shape of a Person, and the Seven Levels of Hell

1613

Western India, Gujarat

Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on cloth
Measurements
83.8 x 155 cm (33 x 61 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.201
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The seven levels of hell depict various punishments as per Jain mythology.

Description

According to Jain cosmology, the universe is envisioned in the shape of a man. Above the waist are seven levels of heavens; below the waist are seven levels of hell. His midsection is the earthly realm, here shown as a round diagram with mountains and rivers, expanded at the left. The hell scenes are elaborated at the right.
A horizontally oriented tempera and ink painting on cloth features three sections. Left, a circular mandala with concentric rings and a grid is surrounded by animals on a dark green ground. Center, a human figure standing on a pink lotus has a torso of multicolored, stepped grids. To the right, eight stacked horizontal panels depict small figures in various scenes against alternating red and green backgrounds.

Diagrams of the Universe: The Two-and-a-Half Continents, the Universe in the Shape of a Person, and the Seven Levels of Hell

1613

Western India, Gujarat

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