Jina (Primary Title)
Jina, possibly Neminatha (Primary Title)
Jina, probably Shreyamsanatha (Primary Title)
Neminatha, the Twenty-second Jina or Tirthankara (Former Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Serenely seated in mediation, this figure is a Jina, or Tirthankara, one of the great teachers and exemplars of the Jain faith. An inscription on his elegantly decorated cushion seems to name him as Shreyamsanatha, the eleventh of the twenty-four Tirthankaras. It also gives the date the sculpture was made and names the merchant and clergyman who commissioned and installed the image. With a triangular torso, cylindrical limbs, and spherical head, the figure’s body is abstracted into almost pure geometrical shapes. Lotus medallions on his large hands and feet are auspicious marks indicating his exceptional status. A strip of cloth that emerges near his feet shows that he is not entirely nude, but meagerly clad in the manner of an ascetic. Traces of color indicate that the sculpture was one wholly or partially painted.
inscribed with date on cushion
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
"The Jina Collection," Frederick Schultz Ancient Art, New York, March 20- April 28, 2001
"Sculpture of South and Southeast Asia," Arthur M. Slackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Washington DC, Nov. 19, 1992- Oct. 2, 1995
"The Vision of Kings: Art and Experience in India," National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Nov. 25, 1995- Feb. 4, 1996; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Feb. 23, 1996- April 28, 1996
"Sculpture of South and Southeast Asia," Arthur M. Slackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Washington DC, Nov. 19, 1992- Oct. 2, 1995
"The Vision of Kings: Art and Experience in India," National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Nov. 25, 1995- Feb. 4, 1996; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Feb. 23, 1996- April 28, 1996
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
