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Vessantara Jataka, Chapter 4: Vessantara, Maddi, Jali, and Kanha Enter the Forest
(Southeast Asia )
The Princess Matsi is seen dancing for the prince and their two children. After the prince gave the white elephant to the Brahmins he was exiled and asked that Princess Matsi remain in the city; she refused and said that she would burn herself if not allowed to accompany the prince. He relented and she is seen dancing in her happiness being with him and the children.
The painting is believed to be from the early part of the reign of Rama V (1868-1910). The figures are in royal dress, typical of Rattankosin art. The scene takes place in an semi-surreal impressionistic landscape setting; a wooded glen, with defined mountains across a sloping plain. Because of differences in technique, the figures seem not to be part of the landscape.
The painting is rare in that this theme is seldom portrayed.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Collection of James E. Bogle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1958, by purchase [in Bangkok, Thailand]; Walters Art Museum, 2010, by gift.
Exhibitions
| 1971 | Art of Thailand. Ithaca College Museum of Art, Ithaca. |
| 1981-2002 | Exhibition of Thai Paintings from James Bogle's Collection. Lycoming College Gallery, Williamsport. |
Geographies
Thailand (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 20 1/16 x W: 20 1/16 in. (51 x 51 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. James E. Bogle, 2010
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
2010.12.5