Artwork

Text, Folio 56 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 56 (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 printing block, carved with rows of evenly spaced holes forming text, is preserved from a Buddhist manuscript.

About this work

The wood is light brown, and the holes are black, making the writing stand out clearly.

This is a long, narrow wooden block covered in tiny, evenly spaced holes. The holes form rows of text, like braille but much bigger. The wood is light brown, and the holes are black, making the writing stand out clearly.

This block was used for printing Buddhist scriptures. The date carved into it—1119—shows it’s over 900 years old.

Look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see where it’s kept today.

Overview

A wooden printing block, carved with rows of evenly spaced holes forming text, is preserved from a Buddhist manuscript. The block is made of light brown wood, with the text standing out in black.

Technique & Style

The text is created by a series of holes, similar to braille, but larger in scale. The even spacing and uniform size of the holes suggest a high level of craftsmanship.

History & Provenance

The block is dated 1119, indicating it is over 900 years old. It is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The text is from the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist scripture known as the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines.