Caturvimsati-patta of Jina 1579

This bronze Caturvimsati-patta of Jina, by an anonymous artist, is a symmetrical and intricate structure, designed to invite the eye to explore its many layers. The patina of the metal suggests a dialogue with time, its varied texture creating a tactile quality that implies age. The composition's form, with its repetitive arrangement of figures, creates a sense of rhythm and unity. The artist uses a grid-like structure to organize the various Jinas, whose placement suggests a deliberate attempt to create harmony, each figure a signifier in a broader semiotic system of Jain iconography. The work destabilizes the traditional notion of a singular, monumental religious icon, opting instead for a multiplicity of forms, which challenges the viewer to consider the collective nature of spiritual entities. It's a matrix of symbols, where form and content are interwoven, inviting continued interpretation.