Artwork
Birth of Parshva to Queen Vama, from the Kalpa-sutra
Birth of Parshva to Queen Vama, from the Kalpa-sutra is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting, titled Birth of Parshva to Queen Vama, is an illuminated page from a Kalpa-sutra manuscript.
About this work
History & Provenance
No ownership history or commission details are documented, and the work has remained in the museum's collection since its acquisition.
The work titled Birth of Parshva to Queen Vama, taken from the Kalpa-sutra, was produced around 1500 and is recorded as a painting in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is accessioned as 1932.119.20. The artist is listed as unknown, and the piece is categorized under the painting classification. No ownership history or commission details are documented, and the work has remained in the museum's collection since its acquisition. No exhibition history for the piece is recorded in the sources consulted.
Overview
This painting, titled Birth of Parshva to Queen Vama, is an illuminated page from a Kalpa-sutra manuscript. It features a central narrative scene framed by an elaborate border. The composition depicts a woman and a newborn, with architectural elements above, all surrounded by calligraphic text. The artwork serves as a visual accompaniment to the ancient religious text from which it originates.
Subject & Meaning
The illustration portrays a pivotal moment in Jain cosmology: the birth of Parshva, the twenty-third Tirthankara, to Queen Vama. The queen is shown reclining, with the infant beside her, conveying a sense of serenity. Above them, a small temple with a golden roof and red pillars suggests the sacred nature of the event, emphasizing its spiritual significance within the Kalpa-sutra narrative.
Technique & Style
The artwork is characterized by its vibrant palette, featuring bold applications of deep reds, blues, and gold. Intricate patterns fill the background, contributing to the overall richness of the page. A detailed border frames the central image, enhancing its visual impact.
To the right, lines of black ink text are meticulously arranged, integrating the visual narrative with the written scripture.
Context
As a page from the Kalpa-sutra, this painting is part of a revered Jain scripture that recounts the lives of the Tirthankaras. Such illuminated manuscripts were crucial for disseminating religious narratives and teachings. The integration of text and image on the page underscores its function as a didactic and devotional object, bringing the sacred stories to life for readers and viewers.
Artist & collection
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Text, folio 60 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra
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Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Folio 61, text pages
Kalpa-sutra Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Folio 60, text (recto); Sthulabhadra as a Lion (verso)
Kalpa-sutra Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Siddhartha Hears the Recitation of Trisala's Dreams
