1919,0101,0.279.c

Description

Scope and content : Mi. xiii. 1–4. Series of adjoining fresco panels from east wall of chamber behind temple cella (for position see plan, Pl. 53). Height of panels 2′ 4″; the ground rich maroon, bordered by a horizontal yellow band above and below, and divided vertically into separate panels by similar bands. Beyond band at top are traces of adjoining paintings of different series. The material is coarse clay, mixed with straw; painting is in tempera on white slip. The colour range is limited, including besides maroon only light emerald green, a few shades of brick-red, pink, and flesh-colour, a dark impure yellow, grey, black, and white. The tints are harsh and muddy or thin; all outlines are in black. The interpretation of the scenes must proceed from left to right, following the order in which they were viewed by those performing the ‘Pradaksinā’. The panels are described here accordingly, and not in the order of their numbering: (3) shows on L. an aged monk seated on a high sq. seat, his feet on circular footstool; small draped canopy with red and green streamers behind his head. His hands are raised before his breast and placed as in attitude of adoration, but held horizontally instead of upright. Before him kneel three young monks, staged one above the other, their eyes fixed on him and their hands in similar pose. In the sky appears a haloed Gandharvī, floating downwards on a cloud, and scattering flowers with R. hand from bowl in L. [Ser]