The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

The Parinirvana of the Buddha

The Parinirvana of the Buddha

c. 1710s
(1615–1868)
color woodblock print
Sheet: 54 x 27.8 cm (21 1/4 x 10 15/16 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1141
Location: not on view

Description

This print records a religious rather than secular event, depicting the transition of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni from mortal to eternal being. On a cloudy night under a full moon, the Buddha lies on a platform on his right side with his right hand behind his head. His followers surround him in various states of grief, curiosity, or calm acceptance. An old woman at the Buddha’s feet and other lay believers are present, along with a host of Buddhist deities. The Buddha’s mother, two attendants, and a monk appear at the upper right. The multitude of animals acknowledges that the Buddha’s law applies to all living creatures. Note that various rectangular cartouches identify the followers. This rare image is the earliest hand-colored print in the museum collection. It was hand-colored in yellow and red (tan), and in many instances, the coloring does not follow the outlines of the key block. All printed versions of this subject are based on earlier paintings; the earliest woodcut of this event dates to 1402.
  • ?–1916
    Mr. Jeptha Homer Wade II [1857-1926] and Mrs. Ellen Garretson Wade [1859-1917], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Baskett, Mary W. Footprints of the Buddha: Japanese Buddhist Prints from American and Japanese Collections, August 23 to October 26, 1980. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1980. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 43, p. 79
    Keyes, Roger S. Japanese Woodblock Prints: A Catalogue of the Mary A. Ainsworth Collection. Oberlin, OH: Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, 1984. Mentioned and Reproduced: fig. 197, p. 115
  • Visions of Japan: Prints and Paintings from Cleveland Collections. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 12, 2004-April 10, 2005).
    Transformations in Japanese Printmaking. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 25-December 30, 1984).
    Footprints of Buddha: Japanese Buddhist Prints from American and Japanese Collections. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA (organizer) (August 23-October 26, 1980).
    Comprehensive Survey of Color Prints. Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, OH (1937).
  • {{cite web|title=The Parinirvana of the Buddha|url=false|author=|year=c. 1710s|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1141