Artwork

Text, Folio 57 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 57 (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

Text, Folio 57 (verso), is a fragment from a Buddhist manuscript, specifically the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra (Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines). The piece features a worn, light-brown wooden slab with two black rectangular fields containing densely packed, minute lines and symbols.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a textual excerpt from a key Mahayana Buddhist scripture. The symbols, likely a form of ancient Indian writing, convey philosophical and spiritual teachings central to Buddhist doctrine, though their specific meaning on this fragment is unclear without closer textual analysis.

Technique & Style

The work exhibits a traditional manuscript style from ancient India. The wooden support, unusual for most known manuscripts which favor parchment or paper, features hand-drawn black ink rectangles with meticulously rendered, though tiny, script and symbols, indicative of painstaking craftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Originating from ancient India, the exact date and full provenance of Folio 57 (verso) are not specified in the provided details. Its age is suggested by the worn condition of the wood.

Context

This fragment would have been part of a larger religious text used for study, recitation, or ritual purposes within Buddhist communities. Its wooden medium might imply use in a region or period favoring this durable material over more common choices.

Legacy

As part of the Prajnaparamita corpus, this fragment contributes to the broader legacy of Buddhist textual heritage. Its preservation aids in the study of ancient Indian script, manuscript production, and the dissemination of Mahayana Buddhist teachings.