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Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha
Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha

Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha

Place of OriginThailand
Dateapprox. 1825-1875
MaterialsPaint and gold on cloth
DimensionsOverall: H. 24 1/8 in × W. 21 in (61.3 cm × 53.3 cm)
Matted: H. 32 in × W. 27 in (81.3 cm × 68.6 cm)
Credit LineGift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Southeast Asian Art Collection
Object number2006.27.122.16
DepartmentSoutheast Asian Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
InscribedForrest McGill 8/5/05: Inscription is partly legible, including "36" as the number of verses, indicating that chapter 12, "The Six Royals" is presented.
More Information

At last the "Six Royals"-parents, children, and grandchildren-are reunited. Their gesture, holding a hand to the face with the heel of the palm near the eye, shows that all of them are shedding tears of joy. The female attendants at lower left are touched by the scene and also weep.

The damaged inscription includes the title of the chapter illustrated and the number of its verses

Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion, chapter 12 from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion, chapter 12 from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
approx. 1800-1850
Vessantara, reunited with his family, attends his father the king, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara, reunited with his family, attends his father the king, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
1800-1900
Vessantara and his family enter the forest, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara and his family enter the forest, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
approx. 1800-1850
Jujaka's wife is ridiculed; she then urges her husband to ask Vessantara for his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
Jujaka's wife is ridiculed; she then urges her husband to ask Vessantara for his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
1800-1900
Vessantara, reunited with his family, attends his father the king (?), a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara, reunited with his family, attends his father the king (?), a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
1875-1900
Vessantara and his wife see the approach of Vessantara's father's retinue, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara and his wife see the approach of Vessantara's father's retinue, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
1800-1900
Vessantara and his family enter the forest, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara and his family enter the forest, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
1850-1900
Vessantara gives away his wife, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara gives away his wife, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
approx. 1800-1850
Vessantara gives away his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara gives away his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
approx. 1800-1850
Jujaka's wife is ridiculed; she then urges her husband to ask Vessantara for his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Jujaka's wife is ridiculed; she then urges her husband to ask Vessantara for his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
approx. 1800-1850
Vessantara and his wife meet with her father, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
Vessantara and his wife meet with her father, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)
1800-1900
Indra grants Phusati ten favors before she descends from heaven to become the mother of Vessantara, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
Indra grants Phusati ten favors before she descends from heaven to become the mother of Vessantara, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
1800-1900