Artwork
Brahman Rishabhadatta's speech, folio 5 from a Kalpa-sutra
Brahman Rishabhadatta's speech, folio 5 from a Kalpa-sutra is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1549 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work, titled “Brahman Rishabhadatta’s speech, folio 5 from a Kalpa‑sutra,” is a painted manuscript page.
About this work
Overview
The work, titled “Brahman Rishabhadatta’s speech, folio 5 from a Kalpa‑sutra,” is a painted manuscript page. It presents two upright figures in simple robes, their elongated arms framing a central block of red text rendered in gold lettering, all set within a decorative border of swirling motifs and modest floral designs.
Subject & Meaning
The two figures appear to be participants in a didactic scene, their serene, expressionless faces suggesting a focus on the spoken or written instruction contained in the gold script. The text likely conveys a passage from the Kalpa‑sutra, a Buddhist treatise on monastic discipline.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a limited palette of reds, blues, earthy tones, and gold. Gold leaf or pigment is applied to the script, creating a dense, compact visual narrative. The surrounding border combines geometric shapes with stylized floral elements, typical of South Asian manuscript illumination.
History & Provenance
Identified as folio 5 of a larger Kalpa‑sutra manuscript, the piece reflects the manuscript production practices of its originating tradition. Its current location is not specified, but similar works are held by institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, indicating a broader collection of comparable illuminated texts.
Artist & collection
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