Artwork

Text, Folio 41 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 41 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1119 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This artwork is a single folio (page) from a medieval manuscript, specifically Folio 41 (recto), of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist text on the Perfection of Wisdom. The piece is a narrow, light-brown parchment with a rough left edge.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a segment of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key Mahayana Buddhist scripture. The text, written in Sanskrit, conveys teachings on achieving enlightenment through wisdom.

Technique & Style

The manuscript page features densely written, decorative Sanskrit script with flourishes, characteristic of medieval Indian or Himalayan manuscript illumination. The tight line spacing and ornate calligraphy reflect both functional recording of sacred text and aesthetic devotion.

History & Provenance

Originating from the Indian subcontinent or Himalayan region, this folio is now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Specific dates of creation and ownership history before its museum acquisition are not provided.

Context

Created within a Buddhist scribal tradition, this folio represents the preservation and dissemination of Mahayana teachings through meticulously crafted manuscripts.