Cosmic Diagram

Indian

1 of 7

Object Label

This image maps the cosmos as conceived by Jainism, an ancient Indian religion. In the Jain tradition, reaching Enlightenment requires a spiritual journey across levels of understanding. The levels are shown here as concentric rings separated by oceans. The world we know appears in the outer rings and in the corners, populated by people in small pavilions and crisscrossed by rivers. At the center is Jambhudvipa, the mountainous continent of the gods.

Caption

Indian. Cosmic Diagram, 18th century. Opaque watercolor on cotton, sheet: 35 1/2 x 36 in. (90.2 x 91.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X899.1. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Culture

Indian

Title

Cosmic Diagram

Date

18th century

Geography

Possible place made: Jodphur, Gujarat, India, Possible place made: Jodphur, Rajasthan, India

Medium

Opaque watercolor on cotton

Classification

Painting

Dimensions

sheet: 35 1/2 x 36 in. (90.2 x 91.4 cm)

Credit Line

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Accession Number

X899.1

Have information?

Have information about an artwork? Contact us at

bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.