Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog number |
2003.3.2 |
Artist |
Unknown |
Title |
Great Departure: Scene from a Jataka |
Date |
1782-1851 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Description |
Thai narrative paintings have just one purpose to guide and inspire the devout through the illustrations of religious traditions or moral values. Thai painters derived their inspiration from Jatakas, religious fables that recall the lives of the Buddha as either human being or beast and his path to enlightenment. The last ten tales of 550 Jatakas, to the exclusion of all others, are subjects for painting, and teaching. Although the paintings are not intended as individual aesthetic expressions, they are nonetheless works of art in their own right. The Jataka in this Thai narrative painting, Great Departure, depicts Prince Siddharta Guatama upon his horse Kanthanka, carried noiselessly through the air by the gods to insure his escape. Indra and Brahma accompany the entourage, while the groom Chandaka hangs onto Kathanka's tail. Ahead of the party is Mara, the great deceiver, who attempts to foil Siddharta's mission. Siddharta's renunciation of normal life for the life of the monk is depicted in the second Jataka, Cutting the Hair. Reference: Winter, Amy H., with Xiaoping Lin (eds.), "The Light of Infinite Wisdom: Asian Art from the Godwin-Ternbach Museum and Other Collections," Queens College, CUNY, 2003. *Exhibited in 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers: Art of the Natural World', 4/11-7/31/2019. |
Medium/Material |
Pigment and gilt on cotton |
Dimensions |
H-17.75 L-20.75 inches |
Year Range from |
1782 |
Year Range to |
1851 |
Exhibition and Publication History |
"The Light of Infinite Wisdom: Asian Art from the Godwin-Ternbach Museum and Other Collections," A. Winter, X. Lin, Curators, G-TM, 10/15-12/20/2003, #31, ill., pp. 20-21. |
Culture |
Thai |