Artwork

Genealogical text, folio 167 (verso) from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya

Genealogical text, folio 167 (verso) from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The piece serves as an example of illustrated textual traditions, likely conveying a narrative or religious instruction within its original context.

This painting, titled "Genealogical text, folio 167 (verso) from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya," presents two distinct figural representations on a single sheet. The artwork, part of a larger manuscript, exhibits signs of age and use. Its primary focus lies in the hand-drawn illustrations, which are accompanied by written passages.

The piece serves as an example of illustrated textual traditions, likely conveying a narrative or religious instruction within its original context.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features two figures arranged side by side. On the left, a seated individual with a rounded face is depicted in a cross-legged posture, holding a small, unidentifiable object. To the right, a standing figure is rendered with arms uplifted, adorned with a patterned skirt and a necklace.

These illustrations likely serve to illuminate a specific narrative or teaching from the accompanying text, possibly related to the Kalpa-sutra or the Story of Kalakacharya.

Technique & Style

The artwork's aesthetic is characterized by its straightforward, unadorned style. The background behind the figures remains plain, allowing the simple forms to stand out. The folio is framed by faded red borders, and black script in an unfamiliar language runs alongside the images.

The physical condition of the piece indicates its age, with visible wear, including a small hole near the center, suggesting a history of handling and preservation.

Context

This folio originates from a larger manuscript identified as a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya, indicating its role within a religious or historical textual tradition. Such illustrated manuscripts were crucial for disseminating and preserving narratives and teachings. The artwork is currently held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, where it contributes to the understanding of South Asian manuscript painting and its cultural significance.

Folio 167, from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya: two nuns teaching lay women (recto); genealogical text (verso)

Artist & collection

Museum

Cleveland Museum of Art

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