Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605) / c. 1600
Jain Ascetic Walking Along a Riverbank
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Jain Ascetic Walking Along a Riverbank as painting (Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605) · c. 1600).
He carries a book and a fly whisk tucked under his left arm.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper and credits Basavana (Indian, active c. 1560–1600).
The museum's collection notes: Alluding to his wisdom, this white-clad Jain monk carries a manuscript under his left arm, bound with a red cover. Otherwise he carries a Jain monk’s basic accouterments: whisk broom, staff, and pot. This sensitively painted portrait was made for the collection of the Mughal emperor Akbar who was curious about the tenets of Jainism. He admired the explanations of the Jain monks who regularly attended the emperor’s weekly discussion sessions among members of different religious groups.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtJain Ascetic Walking Along a RiverbankOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.