Folio 2, from a Great Poem about Twos (Dvyashraya Mahakavya) of Hemachandra with Commentary by Abhayatilaka1428 · Study 1971.131

Context from the museum

The author of the text, Hemachandra (1088–1173) is seated at the left, on a throne. He was a Jain monk, here shown clad in a white robe, with shaven head, holding a cloth before his mouth to screen out any insects he might inadvertently harm by swallowing. Also an attribute of Jain ascetics, who adhere to principles of committing no harm to any living being, is the broom behind his back, used to sweep insects from the path. He wrote this text in 1160, illustrating points of grammar with praiseworthy deeds of his royal patrons, such as King Kumarapala (reigned 1143–1172) of the Solanki dynasty (940–1244) of western India who sits before him.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

Two barely perceptible inscriptions identify the monk and the layman as Hemachandra and Kumarapala.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Folio 2, from a Great Poem about Twos (Dvyashraya Mahakavya) of Hemachandra with Commentary by Abhayatilaka is 45.7 cm wide and 5.7 cm high, equivalent to approximately 18.0 × 2.2 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 8.02:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.03 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 15.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 127.2 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Folio 2, from a Great Poem about Twos (Dvyashraya Mahakavya) of Hemachandra with Commentary by Abhayatilaka in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, gum tempera and ink on palm leaf, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 45.7 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?