Artwork

Text, folio 157 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, folio 157 (verso), 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.

About this work

Overview

This artifact is a single page (folio 157, verso) from an ancient manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist text on the Perfection of Wisdom. The page features text in a script resembling Sanskrit, with selective highlighting in red ink.

Subject & Meaning

The text is a portion of a significant Buddhist scripture, the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines. Red ink highlights likely denote important philosophical or ritualistic terms within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition.

Technique & Style

The manuscript page is crafted on a light brown material, possibly parchment or early paper. The text is arranged in formal, ceremonial lines, reflecting a traditional, unidentified script style resembling Sanskrit.

History & Provenance

Due to the lack of specific attribution, the exact origins (date, region, artist/scribe) of this manuscript page remain unknown. Its survival suggests careful preservation over centuries.

Context

This page would have been part of a larger, revered manuscript used for study or ritual in a Buddhist community, likely in ancient India or a region under its cultural influence.

Legacy

As part of the Prajnaparamita corpus, this text contributes to the broader legacy of Mahayana Buddhist teachings. The manuscript's style and script reflect the artistic and scholarly practices of its time, though its direct influence on later works is unspecified.