Text, folio 2 (verso) from a Parshvanatha Charitra (Life and Stories of Lord Parshva) of Bhavadeva-suric. 1275–1300 · Study 1971.125.b

Context from the museum

The nine lines of text on this page are written in Devanagari script. They are read from left to right, with each line of text spanning the entire length of the page. It introduces the story of the pious Marubhuti who, after passing through nine more lives, will be reborn as Parshva and reach liberation. The notation in the red squares of the margins indicate the folio number using two different systems. Corrections to the text copy made by later readers are jotted in the lower margin.

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

A detail to notice

South Asian manuscripts are usually numbered on the verso; the Devanagari numeral 2 at the right is similar to the Arabic number.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Text, folio 2 (verso) from a Parshvanatha Charitra (Life and Stories of Lord Parshva) of Bhavadeva-suri is 32.4 cm wide and 6.7 cm high, equivalent to approximately 12.8 × 2.6 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 4.84:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.02 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 10.8% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 133.8 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 Text, folio 2 (verso) from a Parshvanatha Charitra (Life and Stories of Lord Parshva) of Bhavadeva-suri 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 32.4 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?