Thai Story: The Vessantara Jataka

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Walters Art Museum
[email protected]
410-547-9000, ext. 277

WHEN:
October 29, 2011–January 22, 2012

WHERE:
The Walters Art Museum
600 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201 

WHAT:
This small exhibition includes 12 paintings illustrating the jataka story of Prince Vessantara. The story of his life extols the virtue of unlimited charity. In this painting cycle, the prince, an embodiment of the Buddha-to-be, gives away his elephant, his land, his palace, his garments, his children, his wife and more until he has given all that can be given. His charity is limitless, and this attracts the attention of the divine. He is rewarded with the return of his wife and his children, omniscient understanding and the restoration of his kingdom, where he is able to assume the role of ruler. The story is recited and illustrated in Buddhist temples across Thailand. On its surface, this story is a simple moralizing tale designed to encourage charity, but through centuries of retelling and illustrating the Thai version has become rich with wit, humor and artistic charm all the while retaining its important message.

HOURS:
Hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

ADMISSION:
Free

Image:

Vessantara Gives the White Elephant to the Kalinga Brahmin Anonymous (Thai), 1850–1870, paint on cloth, gift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Southeast Asian Art Collection, 2002, The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore (35. 265)

INFORMATION:

General museum information: 410-547-9000 or www.thewalters.org