The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s2.19

v2.c16.s2.19

In cave I, the subject painted in the back corridor to the left of the antechamber again represents the Buddha as Prince Siddhārtha,¹ but in this case the scheme is more subtle and varied than in the painting of cave XVII described above, both in regard to its intellectual and to its artistic qualities (Plate XLVII). The prince is shown here on the eve of his ‘renunciation’; he is determined but still in the midst of his royal attendants and is also accompanied by his wife, whose portrait here suggests the grace of a mother rather than that of a young girl-wife.