Artwork

Text, folio 173 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, folio 173 (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. A wooden block carved with intricate Buddhist scripture is preserved at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

A wooden block carved with intricate Buddhist scripture is preserved at The Cleveland Museum of Art. The block is long and narrow, with two metal rings attached to its sides.

Technique & Style

The carvings on the block are tiny and precise, forming rows of repeating lines that resemble a grid of small squares and dots. The dense script fills the entire surface, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship.

History & Provenance

The wooden block is housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, indicating its significance and value as a cultural artifact. The block shows signs of age and use, with a warm, golden-brown color.

Subject & Meaning

The carvings are part of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist text known as the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines. The dense script likely holds significant spiritual and cultural meaning within Buddhist tradition.