Painted Banner (Thangka) of Five Morality Tales from the Avadana Kalpalata Jataka
late 18th century
Medium
Pigment and gold on cotton
Dimensions
85 × 60 cm (33 1/2 × 23 5/8 in.)
Classification
tankas (scrolls or banners)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
144971
Art Historical Context
This exquisite thangka, or painted Buddhist scroll banner, from the late 18th vividly illustrates five morality tales drawn from the *Avad Kalpalata Jataka a collection of stories emphasizing ethical lessons and the consequences of karma. Likely originating from the Himalayan region, such as Tibet or Nepal, these narratives echo the Jataka tales of the Buddha's past lives, serving as visual sermons to inspire devotion and moral reflection among practitioners. Crafted with pigments and gold on cotton, 85 × 60 cm banner exemplifies traditional thangka techniques: mineral-based colors applied in...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...