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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall Murals
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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall Murals
THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period (1782–present)
These murals in the ordination hall of Wat Suwannaram were first painted by Phra Archan Nak during the rule of King Rama I (reigned 1782-1809), and were added onto by artists including Khru Khongpae, Khru Thongyu, and Khrua Inkhong during the rule of King Rama III (reigned 1824-1851).
Images of the realms of desire, form, and formlessness are painted on the upper register of the west wall, with the Prince Vessantara Jataka illustrated below. Between the windows on the south and north walls, there are scenes from the Ten Great Jataka tales that describe the last ten births of the Buddha, a common theme in Thai Buddhist art. These include the King Nimi Jataka painted by Khru Thongyu, and the Maha Ummagga Jataka by Khru Khongpae. The Defeat of Mara and Enlightenment is shown in the upper register of the east wall. Beneath it, on panels between the sets of doors, there are depictions of scenes from the Life of the Buddha including the Wedding of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, the Birth of Prince Siddhartha, and Renunciation. As these were the work of different artists, the composition and the style of the scenes vary, but they all feature similar bright colors and fine details. The individual scenes are separated by natural scenery. As the viewer's gaze moves upwards, the perspective changes from straight-on to a bird's-eye view, a common feature of paintings from the reign of Rama III. |
