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Kizil Cave 17: King Sudolagarne Jataka
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Kizil Cave 17: King Sudolagarne Jataka
CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu; circa 6th century
This painting is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling within the main chamber. According to the “Chapter on King Sudolagarne” in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, during the reign of King Sudolagarne there was a drought in his kingdom. The citizens were starving due to the shortage of food, so the king vowed to become a big fish that could feed his citizens. He then jumped from a tall tree and died. As he wished, the king was reborn as a big fish that saved the citizens from hunger.
The painting depicts the large fish lying next to a pond. Two starving citizens stand over it. One person lifts an ax to chop the fish, while the other kneels on top of it, slicing flesh with a knife. The artist used layers of colors to emphasize the figures’ musculature. Due to changes in color through the ages, both appear as if they were shadow puppets. |
