Artwork
Shatrunjaya pata

Shatrunjaya pata is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1870, this expansive cloth painting portrays the Jain pilgrimage destination of Shatrunjaya Hill.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1870, this expansive cloth painting portrays the Jain pilgrimage destination of Shatrunjaya Hill. The composition includes the hill’s principal temples, the adjacent Shatrunjaya River on the left, and the town of Palitana positioned in the lower right corner, all rendered in vivid, saturated hues.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates the sacred landscape as a site of devotion, showing pilgrims traversing the ascent toward the hill’s sanctuaries. Interspersed among the human figures are depictions of local wildlife, such as a tiger and peacocks, suggesting the harmony of spiritual pursuit with the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in a dense, mosaic‑like manner, the painting fills its surface with numerous small forms that interlock like a puzzle. A bright palette of reds, greens, blues, and gold accents dominates, while a predominantly blue background provides contrast. The meticulous arrangement of figures, architecture, and flora creates a layered, bustling visual narrative.
History & Provenance
The cloth painting dates to the late nineteenth century, a period when Jain communities commissioned elaborate visual records of their holy sites. Its current location is not specified in the source, but similar works are held in collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, indicating a broader interest in preserving this genre of devotional art.
Artist & collection


















![View of Venice [upper left block], by Jacopo de' Barbari](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/jacopo-de-barbari--view-of-venice-upper-left-block--5b60543442b987bc-w320.webp)
