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Secondary sourcePainting1880s

Scenes from the Life of the Buddha

King Mindon · 1880s

A Burmese accordion-fold album from the 1880s painted with scenes from the Buddha's life, commissioned under King Mindon.

This album illustrates scenes from the Buddha's life, continuing his story in Burmese art centuries later.

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Painted panel of a Burmese Buddhist scene: a seated Buddha in red robes under a red-and-gold tiered pavilion with blue curtains, surrounded by seated and standing monks in yellow robes on a wooden platform. Trees and a Burmese inscription band appear below.
King Mindon (attributed), Scenes from the Life of the Buddha, Mandalay, Myanmar, 1880s. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this source

What it is

This is a Burmese accordion-fold album, called a parabaik, painted in watercolors, ink, and gold on mulberry bark paper with tooled leather boards. It was made in Mandalay, Myanmar, in the 1880s, and is linked to King Mindon. It is now held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Why it matters

This album is an example of how Buddhist stories were passed down and celebrated through art centuries after the Buddha's life. It shows the continuing importance of Buddhism in Burmese royal culture, with King Mindon's connection suggesting royal patronage of religious art. The detailed, colorful style reflects Burmese artistic traditions of illustrating sacred narratives for teaching and devotion.

Look closer

  • What details in the painting show it was made for a religious or royal audience?
  • How does the style of this artwork compare to other depictions of the Buddha you have seen?
  • What story moment from the Buddha's life might this scene be showing?

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