Artwork
Text, folio 173 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, folio 173 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This object is a narrow wooden folio, the verso side of folio 173, taken from a manuscript of the *Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines* (the Ashtasahasrika Prajñāpāramitā‑sūtra). The surface bears densely set calligraphic characters rendered in a fine, flowing script, creating a compact block of text across the light‑brown wood.
Subject & Meaning
The inscribed text comprises a portion of the Buddhist *Prajñāpāramitā* sutra, a key Mahāyāna scripture that expounds the concept of ultimate wisdom. The verses on this folio contribute to the larger discourse on emptiness and the transcendence of conceptual thought, reflecting the doctrinal emphasis of the sutra on the perfection of insight.
Technique & Style
The script is executed in a delicate, cursive hand typical of East Asian religious manuscripts, with small, intricate strokes that maximize space. The characters are incised or painted directly onto the smooth wooden panel, allowing a uniform, matte finish. The tight line spacing and consistent rhythm of the calligraphy demonstrate a high level of scribal skill.
History & Provenance
The folio originates from a larger codex of the *Ashtasahasrika Prajñāpāramitā* produced for monastic use, likely in a Chinese or Tibetan cultural sphere. The wooden support suggests a portable format intended for travel or personal study. Its exact date and origin remain uncertain, but the style aligns with manuscript practices of the early medieval period.
Context
The *Perfection of Wisdom* sutras were central to the liturgical and scholarly activities of Mahāyāna monasteries, often copied for ritual recitation and doctrinal transmission. Wooden folios such as this one were employed when paper was scarce or when durability was required, reflecting the practical considerations of Buddhist textual culture.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
Text, folio 170 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, folio 166 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 12 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 36 (verso), 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)
Text, Folio 80 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 48 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 21 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, folio 162 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)