Leaf from a Kalpa Sutra (Jain Book of Rituals) 15th century

This is a leaf from a Kalpa Sutra, a Jain book of rituals, likely created in India. The Kalpa Sutra recounts the lives of the Jain Tirthankaras, who represent spiritual victors, and this leaf would have been part of an illustrated manuscript. Jainism, with its emphasis on non-violence, asceticism, and the pursuit of spiritual liberation, has a long history in India, deeply intertwined with the social and political fabric of the region. Illustrated manuscripts such as this one played a crucial role in transmitting religious knowledge and shaping community identity. The visual elements—the script, the illustrations, and the decorative motifs— all provide insights into the patronage networks and artistic practices that sustained Jain culture. Understanding the historical and cultural context of this artwork requires looking at the social conditions that shaped artistic production, the institutional histories of Jain monastic orders, and the politics of imagery in medieval India. Examining the economic structures that supported the creation of luxury manuscripts such as this one would also allow for a richer understanding of the role of art in society.