Artwork

Kalpa-sutra Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Sakra Summons Harinegamesin

Kalpa-sutra Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Sakra Summons Harinegamesin, unspecified, 1494
Kalpa-sutra Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Sakra Summons Harinegamesin, unspecified, 1494

Kalpa-sutra Manuscript with 24 Miniatures: Sakra Summons Harinegamesin is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1494 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This page originates from a Kalpa-sutra manuscript, featuring the miniature titled "Sakra Summons Harinegamesin.

About this work

Overview

The composition places a vibrant, detailed painting on the right side of the folio, balanced by a block of text on the left.

This page originates from a Kalpa-sutra manuscript, featuring the miniature titled "Sakra Summons Harinegamesin." It exemplifies a common format for illuminated religious texts, where visual elements complement the written narrative. The composition places a vibrant, detailed painting on the right side of the folio, balanced by a block of text on the left. This arrangement facilitates the reader's engagement with both the artistic representation and the scriptural content.

Subject & Meaning

The miniature depicts a scene from the Kalpa-sutra, a significant Jain scripture detailing the lives of the Tirthankaras. The title "Sakra Summons Harinegamesin" indicates a specific episode, likely involving the deity Sakra (Indra) and the divine messenger Harinegamesin. The enthroned, crowned figure holding a staff likely represents Sakra, while the standing figure is Harinegamesin, illustrating a moment of divine command or interaction within the Jain cosmological framework.

Technique & Style

The painting exhibits a distinct style characterized by its small scale and rich coloration. The background is adorned with intricate gold patterns, suggesting a decorative emphasis often found in manuscript illumination. A prominent red border frames the miniature, visually separating it from the surrounding text. The figures are rendered with clear outlines, and the overall aesthetic contributes to the manuscript's function as both a religious artifact and an artistic creation.

Context

As a page from a Kalpa-sutra manuscript, this artwork served as a visual aid to a sacred Jain text. Such manuscripts were crucial for the dissemination and study of Jain teachings, often commissioned by wealthy patrons and meticulously crafted by scribes and artists. The combination of painted imagery and written script allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the narratives, with red dots in the text likely serving as organizational markers to guide the reader through the religious verses or stories.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.