Artwork

Text, Folio 138 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 138 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Unknown. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This wooden panel, Folio 138 (recto), originates from a manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist scripture.

About this work

Overview

This wooden panel, Folio 138 (recto), originates from a manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist scripture. The long, narrow piece features intricate, densely packed carvings resembling rows of text, rendered in dark brown against a warm, golden-brown wood background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is the sacred text of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key Buddhist scripture focused on the perfection of wisdom. The carving's arrangement in three distinct sections, separated by gaps, may reflect organizational or thematic divisions within the text.

Technique & Style

The panel showcases precise, tiny carvings, likely achieved through meticulous hand-tooling. While not an example of chiaroscuro, the interplay of light and shadow across the carved and uncarved areas enhances the visual depth of the text's grid pattern.

History & Provenance

Specific historical and provenance details for Folio 138 (recto) are not provided, though it is part of a larger manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, suggesting origins tied to Buddhist scribal and artisanal traditions, possibly from South Asia given the scriptural context.

Context

Created within the context of Buddhist manuscript production, this folio reflects the religious and intellectual pursuits of its time, emphasizing the preservation and dissemination of sacred knowledge through painstaking artisanal work.

Legacy

As part of a broader corpus of Buddhist manuscripts, Folio 138 contributes to the understanding of ancient Buddhist textual practices, artisanal techniques, and the enduring significance of the Prajnaparamita sutras in Buddhist thought.