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Illustrations of Jataka Tales
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Illustrations of Jataka Tales
THAILAND; 1801–1850; Color on cloth; 190 x 88.2 cm; Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, USA
Decorative striped borders divide this fabric painting into ten squares, each containing an illustration of a jataka tale. In the left column, painted from top to bottom are the Prince Vessantara Jataka, Khandahala Jataka, Bhuridatta Jataka, Syama Jataka, and Mahajanaka Jataka. The right column features the Vidhurapandita Jataka, Maha Narada Kassapa Jataka, Maha Ummagga Jataka, King Nimi Jataka, and Muga Pakkha Jataka.
In one scene, Prince Vessantara and his banished family of four travel on foot after giving away all of their possessions. Another frame depicts Vidhurapandita, calm despite being in a life-threatening situation, holding onto the tail of Punnaka's galloping steed. The dynamic images are carefully painted and brightly colored. The gilded clothing of the figures is a common feature of Thai paintings. |
