Who painted Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra?

Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra was painted by Unknown in 1488.

Where can I see Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra?

Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra?

Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra is associated with Mughal Painting.

Artwork

Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra

Unknown , 1488

Text, Folio 23 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1488 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a painted folio, specifically the verso of folio 23, taken from a Kalpa‑sutra manuscript.

Accession no.: 1932.119.23.b
Credit line: Edward L. Whittemore Fund

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted folio, specifically the verso of folio 23, taken from a Kalpa‑sutra manuscript. It consists of a single page densely covered with handwritten text rendered in black ink, punctuated by red decorative elements that organize the layout.

Subject & Meaning

The script appears to be in a South‑Asian language, likely Sanskrit or Hindi, presenting the religious or philosophical content typical of a Kalpa‑sutra, a genre of Buddhist texts dealing with monastic discipline and ritual prescriptions.

Technique & Style

The calligraphy is executed with a fluid, elegant hand, featuring numerous fine flourishes that convey a sense of movement. Red lines segment the page into sections, and four red circles are positioned symmetrically on either side of the text, providing visual balance and emphasis.

History & Provenance

The folio originates from a larger manuscript tradition of Buddhist literature, though specific details about its creation date, patronage, or geographic origin are not provided in the source material.

Context

Kalpa‑sutras were produced in monastic scriptoria across the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions, often illuminated with modest decorative motifs such as the red lines and circles seen here, which served both aesthetic and functional purposes in guiding the reader.