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

This 15th century leaf from a Kalpa Sutra, a Jain text of rituals, is a vivid example of Indian manuscript illumination. The text, written in black ink, is accompanied by an illustration in bright colors on the right side of the page, likely depicting a scene from a Jain story. The artist, Bhadrabahu, was a Jain monk who lived in the 4th century BCE and whose teachings helped shape the religion's development. This artwork, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the artistic and cultural significance of Jainism.