Artwork
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: page from a Great Poem about Twos (Dvyashraya Mahakavya) of Hemachandra, with commentary by Abhayatilaka: Text (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: page from a Great Poem about Twos (Dvyashraya Mahakavya) of Hemachandra, with commentary by Abhayatilaka: Text (recto) is an unspecified painting by Abhayatilakagani. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This manuscript leaf, dating to circa 1290, originates from a Jain literary tradition.
About this work
Overview
This manuscript leaf, dating to circa 1290, originates from a Jain literary tradition. It contains a portion of the Dvyashraya Mahakavya, a celebrated poem by the 12th‑century scholar Hemachandra, accompanied by a scholastic commentary attributed to Abhayatilaka. The object is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection of South Asian manuscripts.
Subject & Meaning
The text presents verses that explore dualities, a central theme in Jain philosophical discourse, while the marginal commentary elucidates linguistic and doctrinal nuances. Together, the poem and its exegesis reflect the intellectual rigor of medieval Jain scholarship and its engagement with Sanskrit literary forms.
Technique & Style
Rendered on a narrow, yellowed strip of paper, the manuscript features two tightly set columns of Sanskrit script in a compact, vertical arrangement. The calligraphy is executed in a refined, miniature style typical of Jain manuscript production, with precise, evenly spaced characters that maximize the limited surface.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 13th century, the leaf likely belonged to a larger compendium of Hemachandra’s poetry circulated among Jain monastic libraries. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, contributing to the museum’s representation of medieval Indian religious texts.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jain artists from the 13th century filled manuscript pages with delicate lines and tiny figures telling stories of gods and heroes.
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Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra (verso)
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