The Parinirvana of the Buddha
1714
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1714
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Parinirvana of the Buddha is a 1714 by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see the Buddha lying on his side, surrounded by people—some crying, some calm, some just watching. A full moon glows in the sky, and tiny gods float above the scene. This painting shows the moment the Buddha dies and reaches *parinirvana*, the end of his earthly life. It’s not a sad scene, though. The mood is quiet, almost peaceful, like he’s just falling asleep. The artist made sure even the smallest figures have their own reactions, from grief to wonder. If you like this, look up more about japan, edo period (1615–1868)—it’s full of art like this.
This print records a religious rather than secular event, depicting the transition of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni from mortal to eternal being. On a cloudy night under a full moon, the Buddha lies on a platform on his right side with his right hand behind his head. His followers surround him in various states of grief, curiosity, or calm acceptance. An old woman at the Buddha’s feet and other lay believers are present, along with a host of Buddhist deities. The Buddha’s mother, two attendants, and a monk appear at the upper right. The multitude of animals acknowledges that the Buddha’s…
Read the full account in the museum source.
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