Text, folio 162 (recto), 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 162 (recto), 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 is a long, narrow strip of aged paper with three rectangular panels. Each panel is packed with tiny, even lines of text—like rows of ants marching in a straight line. The paper looks yellowed and worn, with two small holes near the edges, as if it’s been handled a lot. The text is written in a script that curves and loops, filling every inch of space. It’s hard to read, but the precision suggests it was meant to be studied carefully. If you like old books and writing, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art for more pieces like this.