Prince Shreyamsa dreams of the coming of Rishabha, from a Panchakalyanaka (Five Auspicious Events)

1670–80

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Amber

Medium

Gum tempera, ink, silver, and gold on paper

Measurements

26.7 x 42.5 cm (10 1/2 x 16 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Jo Hershey Selden Fund 2021.12

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This painting is from the earliest known Jain series made in a Mughal-inspired style.

Description

Dreams foretell important events in Indian literature. In this painting a prince lies half asleep and experiences eight visions, pictured above the reclining figure. At the right, the prince on the throne with the royal umbrella seeks help interpreting the dreams. They predicted the coming of Rishabha, the first Jina, who has been fasting for a full year. The prince then became the first person in the world to give proper alms, or pious offerings, to a Jina.

This painting is from a group that is recognized as the first Jain manuscript made in the form of a pictorial series, rather than a handwritten manuscript.