Artwork

Two nuns teaching lay women, colophon page of folio 167 (recto) from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya

Two nuns teaching lay women, colophon page of folio 167 (recto) from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a painted colophon page from folio 167 (recto) of a Kalpa‑sutra and the narrative of Kalakacharya.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This moment symbolizes the dissemination of doctrinal knowledge and the active participation of women in religious discourse within the Jain tradition.

The painting shows two Buddhist nuns instructing laywomen on a colophon page of folio 167 (recto). Depicted within a religious manuscript, the scene illustrates the transmission of sacred texts and the role of women in spiritual education. The figures are rendered in a narrative style characteristic of Jain cosmological illustrations, emphasizing didactic interaction rather than individual iconography.

This moment symbolizes the dissemination of doctrinal knowledge and the active participation of women in religious discourse within the Jain tradition. The work originates from Gujarat and dates to 1278, reflecting regional artistic practices during the late medieval period.

History & Provenance

Created in 1278 in Gujarat, this painting serves as the colophon page for folio 167 (recto) of a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya manuscript. The work was produced by an unknown artist and is classified as a religious painting. Its provenance leads to the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held as accession number 1971.126.a.

Overview

The work is a painted colophon page from folio 167 (recto) of a Kalpa‑sutra and the narrative of Kalakacharya. It depicts a didactic scene in which two Buddhist nuns address a group of laywomen. The piece belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Technique & Style

Executed in an unidentified medium, the image employs a restrained palette of muted, earth‑derived hues. The figures are rendered with a straightforward yet refined approach, their garments and postures conveyed through clean lines and subtle shading that lend the scene a calm, contemplative atmosphere.

Context

Within the broader manuscript, the colophon serves as a concluding statement, often honoring the patrons or scribes. Here, the visual focus on female instruction reflects a historical emphasis on monastic education for women, a theme documented in various Buddhist textual traditions.