Artwork
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya: Colophon Page, Text (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya: Colophon Page, Text (recto) is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Devachandra. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
Classified as a religious painting, it was produced as part of a larger manuscript tradition within the Jain community during the late 13th century.
This manuscript leaf was created in 1290 in Gujarat and serves as the colophon page containing text on the recto side of the leaf from the Jain manuscript titled The Story of Kalakacharya. Classified as a religious painting, it was produced as part of a larger manuscript tradition within the Jain community during the late 13th century. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, catalogued under accession number 1971.118.8.a. No exhibition record associated with this leaf appears in the available documentation.
Overview
This painting, titled Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya: Colophon Page, Text (recto), was created by Devachandra in 1290. It is a religious work, part of a larger manuscript, and is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art. The piece is a narrow paper strip featuring both ancient script and small illustrative scenes, reflecting its origin as a functional page within a sacred text.
Subject & Meaning
The leaf originates from a Jain manuscript detailing the story of Kalakacharya, a significant narrative within Jain tradition. The recto side includes a colophon page, typically containing information about the manuscript's production. Visually, one scene depicts a robed, seated figure holding a lotus, with a smaller kneeling figure gesturing upwards, likely illustrating a key moment from the religious text.
Technique & Style
Rendered on a faded, narrow strip of paper, the artwork combines dense, ancient script with small painted illustrations. The palette is subdued, primarily featuring reds, yellows, and browns, accented by black outlines. The page exhibits signs of age and extensive handling, indicative of its long history and use as a component of a revered religious book.
Artist & collection
Artist
Devachandra made delicate drawings on palm-leaf manuscripts in 13th-century India.
Jain Monk Holding a Flower Venerated by a Royal Follower, colophon page from a Story of the Religious Teacher Kalaka (Kalakacharya-katha, verso)- Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Colophon page, Kalpa-sutra and The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Monk Teaching Lay Disciple (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Colophon page, Kalpa-sutra and The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Monk Teaching Lay Disciple
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Colophon page, Kalpa-sutra and The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Monk Teaching Lay Disciple (verso)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Text (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: Text (verso)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Brahmanshanti Yaksha (verso)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: The Monk Gautama, Enthroned (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Text (recto); Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Brahmanshanti Yaksha (verso)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra (verso)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Yoga-shastra: Text (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: Enthroned Monk (recto); Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: Text (verso)
Folio 141 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya