Artwork
Folio 141 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya
Folio 141 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1287 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting is from a Jain manuscript created in 1287 on palm leaves, a traditional material for sacred texts in India at the time.
About this work
You see a monk in white robes sitting under a tree, holding a book.
This painting comes from a sacred Jain text written on palm leaves in 1287. The white robes show the monk belongs to the Shvetambara branch of Jainism. Palm leaves were common for holy books in India before paper took over.
To see more works like this, look up western india, gujarat.
Overview
This painting is from a Jain manuscript created in 1287 on palm leaves, a traditional material for sacred texts in India at the time.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a Shvetambara Jain monk, identifiable by his white robes, seated under a tree and holding a book. The scene is part of the Story of Kalakacharya, a narrative about a Jain teacher who acquired magical abilities.
Technique & Style
The work is characteristic of manuscript illustrations from western India, specifically Gujarat, where palm-leaf manuscripts were commonly produced before the widespread use of paper.
History & Provenance
As the second-to-last page of the manuscript, it includes the start of the colophon, which likely contains details about the manuscript's production.
Artist & collection
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Monk Holding a Flower Venerated by a Lay Disciple: Folio 141 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya
Folio 141, from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya: Text (recto); Monk Holding a Flower Venerated by a Lay disciple (verso)
Folio (recto) from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Text
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Text (recto)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Colophon page, Kalpa-sutra and The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Monk Teaching Lay Disciple
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya: Colophon Page, Text (recto)
Folio 2 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Text (recto); Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Brahmanshanti Yaksha (verso)
Monk Holding a Flower: Folio 2 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Kalpa-sutra: Text (verso)
Leaf from a Jain Manuscript: Colophon page, Kalpa-sutra and The Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra: Monk Teaching Lay Disciple (recto)