Basreliëf in de noord muur van de Borobudur Possibly 1873 - 1879

Editor: We’re looking at a gelatin silver print of a bas-relief on the north wall of Borobudur, taken by Isidore Kinsbergen sometime between 1873 and 1879. It depicts scenes of ancient life, almost like frozen stories. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: Ah, Borobudur! It whispers tales, doesn't it? For me, it's the incredible density. Imagine the artisans, chiseling away, revealing stories within stories! I see patience, devotion, an entire cosmology carved in stone. Do you get a sense of the narratives being non-linear, cyclical even? Editor: Absolutely. The way the figures are arranged makes it seem like multiple moments in time are happening all at once. What do you think people were meant to take away from these stories? Curator: Enlightenment, I suppose, visualized. Each level of Borobudur corresponds to a stage of spiritual ascent. The bas-reliefs weren’t just decoration; they were teaching tools. Each image a stepping-stone, leading you, level by level, towards Nirvana. Makes you think about how we learn now, doesn't it? Through fleeting images, not slow-carved eternities. Editor: It definitely puts our modern methods in perspective. It's almost overwhelming to consider the time and effort that went into creating this. Curator: Exactly! It makes me feel deeply connected to those unknown artisans, their devotion radiating from the stone. It’s a powerful reminder that true beauty lies not just in the image, but in the process, in the very breath of its creation. And also…it makes me want to grab a chisel and try it for myself! Maybe just on a piece of clay… Editor: I agree. I'll definitely remember the patience and devotion behind it the next time I see it. Thanks for sharing your perspective.