 |
Wat Thung Sri Muang Ordination Hall: Prince Vessantara Jataka
|
| |
|
Wat Thung Sri Muang Ordination Hall: Prince Vessantara Jataka
THAILAND, Ubon Ratchathani; Bangkok period (1782–present), circa 1826–1850
This mural in the ordination hall of Wat Thung Sri Muang was first painted by artists from Bangkok. In the late 19th century, it was restored by local painters, but it still retains the features of the Bangkok style.
The Prince Vessantara Jataka is illustrated in several scenes that begin on the bottom left and end on the upper right. The prince, generous beyond measure, is first shown giving away the national treasure, an auspicious white elephant, to the people of a neighboring kingdom. Angered by his extreme generosity, the people of his realm demand that he go into exile. The next scene shows the prince and his family leaving the kingdom in a unique chariot pulled by two deer. Soon, the prince has given away the deer; he and his family continue the journey on foot. In the upper register, the king and his retinue journey into the forest, searching for the prince. The king wears a pointed crown, has a petal-shaped nimbus, and sits on the back of a white elephant. The soldiers marching in lines in front of him wear red hats and carry muskets or spears. Small trees and rocks are interspersed between the scenes. The colorful, simply painted figures stand out from the blue background. |
