Artwork

Text, Folio 63 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 63 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra), by Unknown, unspecified, 14
Text, Folio 63 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra), by Unknown, unspecified, 14

Text, Folio 63 (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. This artwork is a carved wooden block, not a painting, used to print Buddhist scripture.

About this work

Overview

This artwork is a carved wooden block, not a painting, used to print Buddhist scripture. It features raised, evenly spaced letters in rows, prepared for printing.

Technique & Style

The block is carved by hand, with three sections, each marked by a small circular indentation in the center. The text is rendered in relief, with the letters standing out from the surface.

Subject & Meaning

The block contains text from the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines, a Buddhist scripture. The carved text is a representation of this sacred writing, intended for printing and dissemination.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.