The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 28, 2022

Folio 40 from a Kalpa-sutra: Text (recto); Birth of Mahavira (verso)

c. 1400

Part of a set. See all set records

Western India, Gujarat, Jain school, early 15th Century

Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Overall: 9.4 x 28.4 cm (3 11/16 x 11 3/16 in.)

Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 1976.27

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

The marginalia beginning with the "=" sign are corrections to the text.

Description

This page describes the joyous and peaceful pregnancy of Queen Trishala, mother of the 24th Jina Mahavira, which lasted 9 months, 7-and-a-half days. It goes on to say that Mahavira was born at midnight on the 13th day of the first month of summer, and all omens augured success. The painting shows the happy mother nestling her infant on a swing.

Provenance
?–1976
Dr. Norman Zaworski [1920–2013], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1976–
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Exhibition history

Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 245). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (January 5-April 27, 2015).

Year in Review, 1976. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (February 1-March 6, 1977).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1976.27