 |
Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Life of the Buddha - Returning to the Palace
|
| |
|
Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Life of the Buddha - Returning to the Palace
THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period (1782–present), dated 1824–1851
This mural on the east wall of the ordination hall of Wat Suwannaram depicts Queen Maya bringing Prince Siddhartha back to the palace after his birth at Lumbini. In a decorated howdah on the back of an elephant on the right, a palace maid holds the young prince, while beside her another maid covers her mouth in awe. A third maid sits on the neck of the elephant and turns to gaze at Siddhartha, and a fourth rides on the haunches, holding a parasol. In a howdah on the left, Queen Maya stands and looks over at her son. The palace maid by her side covers her mouth with one hand and points to the prince with the other. Two more maids ride on a third elephant on the far left. Beside them, a mahout dressed in red raises one hand and looks backwards. Several figures walk on the ground below; one holds a parasol, and another carries a golden box.
The elephants take up the bulk of the painting. Golden floral patterns cover the howdahs, making them stand out from the dark background. The postures of all the figures direct the attention of the viewer towards the prince. |
