Text, folio 159 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Byzantine icon painting Classical Antiquity Religious

Dominant colour

Text, folio 159 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is a 14 unspecified by Unknown, a Byzantine icon painting work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 14 · Byzantine icon painting
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting is a long, horizontal piece with a light-brown background. The main focus is a series of black text, written in a foreign language, that takes up most of the space. The text is divided into sections by small white circles. The text itself is intricate and detailed, with many small symbols and marks that add to its complexity. The overall effect is one of elegance and sophistication, with the simple background allowing the text to take center stage. If you're interested in learning more about the techniques used in this piece, you might want to look up the term "chiaroscuro".