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Text, Folio 46 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra — Anonymous, late 15th-early 16th century

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Written by: Lucía WeberSenior Specialist · Illumination (Tezhip)
Illumination (Tezhip) · Catalogue no. 30732
Anonymous, late 15th-early 16th century

Text, Folio 46 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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Parshva stands in a yogic posture of meditation, bearing the hardship of the elements, unmoved. When stormwaters threatened his life, serpents shielded him so that he could complete his meditations and reach liberation. One cobra stretched his seven-hooded canopy over his head like an umbrella, while a serpent king and his wife praise him. The abstract gold lines on the blue background represent the waters that rose to the level of his shoulders. In this painting, the image of Parshva wears a white lower garment, which indicates that this manuscript was made for the prominent branch of Jainism that allows monks and nuns to wear white robes.

Artist / MakerAnonymous, late 15th-early 16th century
Datec. 1500
Culture / OriginWestern India, Gujarat, late 15th-early 16th century
MediumGum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
DimensionsOverall: 12.5 x 25.7 cm (4 15/16 x 10 1/8 in.)
DepartmentIndian and Southeast Asian Art
TypePainting
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Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

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