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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Prince Vessantara Jataka
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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Prince Vessantara Jataka
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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Prince Vessantara Jataka
THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period (1782–present), dated 1824–1851
This mural in the ordination hall of Wat Suwannaram illustrates the Vessantara Jataka, Pali Jataka No. 547, which tells of the Buddha's past life as a generous prince. When he gave away a magic white elephant to a neighboring kingdom, his own people became angry and demanded that he be exiled. In the first scene, Prince Vessantara and his family are shown bidding farewell to his parents, the king and queen. On the left, the king sits on a pedestal with his two grandchildren kneeling beside him. He raises his left hand to his face, appearing to wipe away tears. Below, the queen kneels beside Prince Vessantara and his wife. She also appears to be crying. A black screen decorated with floral patterns is painted behind the figures.
In another scene from later in the story, the king is shown sitting in a decorated howdah on the back of an elephant, trying to find Vessantara and bring him back to the palace. Guards carrying spears and a large fan ride beside him. More guards stand below the elephant, and on the right there is a procession of figures carrying canopies led by musicians playing horns or beating drums. The landscape of rocks, trees, and mountains in the background is rendered with both traditional Thai techniques and Western chiaroscuro; light colors applied against dark foliage create an interesting contrast. Gold highlights and colorful details add to the vibrant atmosphere. |
