Artwork
Fragment of a Prajnaparamita Sutra manuscript folio
Fragment of a Prajnaparamita Sutra manuscript folio is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1149 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fragment is a painted folio from a Prajnaparamita Sutra manuscript.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a painting on paper, it serves as a devotional object within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, embodying the Prajnaparamita concept of transcendent wisdom.
The folio fragment depicts a sacred Buddhist text central to Mahayana practice, representing the Perfection of Wisdom doctrine. As a painting on paper, it serves as a devotional object within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, embodying the Prajnaparamita concept of transcendent wisdom. The work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection and dates to 1149, reflecting the artistic and religious context of its creation.
Technique & Style
The fragment originates from an 1149 folio of a Prajnaparamita Sutra manuscript, classified as a painting. It is executed on paper using ink and pigment, representing the stylistic conventions of its period. The work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, preserving its historical and religious significance. Formal qualities reflect the delicate brushwork and compositional restraint characteristic of East Asian religious manuscripts.
History & Provenance
This painted manuscript fragment, depicting a scene from the Prajnaparamita Sutra, was created in the year 1149. The artist responsible for the work remains unidentified. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is located.
No further details regarding its original commission, previous ownership history, or the specific circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records.
Overview
The fragment is a painted folio from a Prajnaparamita Sutra manuscript. It depicts a seated figure in a red, gold‑trimmed robe, cross‑legged on a lotus blossom, with objects held in both hands. The background is filled with vivid reds, blues and yellows, and a rainbow‑like halo surrounds the head. Red borders frame the image, and inscribed text runs along the edges.
Artist & collection
