Artwork

Text, Folio 74 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra

Text, Folio 74 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra, by Unknown, unspecified, 1488
Text, Folio 74 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra, by Unknown, unspecified, 1488

Text, Folio 74 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1488 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Text, Folio 74 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra is a painted page featuring a neatly arranged, blocky script in black, red, and brown ink. The composition includes a central red circle and a thin red border along the edges, with select lines of text highlighted in red.

Subject & Meaning

The subject matter appears to be religious or instructional, suggesting the page is part of a larger sacred or didactic work. The red accents likely serve to emphasize key words or sections within the text.

Technique & Style

The artwork showcases a precise, blocky script style, with the strategic use of red ink for highlighting and compositional elements (border and central circle). The overall aesthetic is one of disciplined, religious manuscript illumination.

History & Provenance

Specific historical and provenance details for this folio are not provided, though its classification as part of a Kalpa-sutra suggests origins within a tradition of sacred Jain texts, typically dating from periods of flourishing Jain manuscript production.

Context

Kalpa-sutras are sacred texts in Jainism, containing biographies of Tirthankaras and other religious teachings. This folio’s design and coloring reflect the aesthetic and religious practices of its time, emphasizing the importance of written scripture in Jain tradition.

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.