Artwork

Text, Folio 94 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 94 (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 94 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is a wooden board featuring a grid of uniform, tiny holes across three narrow sections. The board exhibits wear, indicating use, and includes labeled markings.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is functional rather than representational, with the grid of holes suggesting a tool for aiding in the creation of uniform text or patterns, potentially for scribes or printers. The associated manuscript title implies a Buddhist textual context.

Technique & Style

The technique employed is akin to a punctum board, with evenly spaced holes in a grid pattern. The style is utilitarian, reflecting its practical purpose in possibly stencil-like or template-assisted writing/printing processes.

History & Provenance

Specific historical and provenance details are not provided, though the association with the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a significant Buddhist text, suggests origins tied to Buddhist manuscript production, likely in a region practicing this form of Buddhism.

Context

This board would have been used in a scriptorial or printing context, facilitating the consistent reproduction of texts like the referenced sutra. Its wear indicates repeated use over time.

Legacy

The legacy of this item lies in its representation of ancient reproductive techniques in manuscript production, offering insight into the methods of textual dissemination in Buddhist traditions.