Artwork

Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: A Monk Preaching (recto)

Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: A Monk Preaching (recto) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The object is a fragment of paper bearing black ink in a precise, angular script. Its margins are worn and brown, indicating considerable age. A small, faded red circle with a central yellow dot appears on the right side, likely a seal or administrative mark.

Subject & Meaning

The inscription forms part of a Jain religious text, specifically the Kalpa‑sutra, which records the teachings and conduct of monks. The passage on this leaf appears to relate to a monk delivering a sermon, reflecting the doctrinal emphasis on monastic instruction.

Technique & Style

The writing is executed with a fine brush or pen, producing clean, angular characters typical of medieval Jain manuscript scripts. The red circular mark was probably applied with a stamp, a common practice for identifying ownership or authenticity in manuscript production.

History & Provenance

The leaf originates from a Jain manuscript tradition that flourished in western India from the 12th to 15th centuries. It has survived in a paper format, suggesting it was produced after the widespread adoption of paper in the subcontinent. The fragment is now part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.