STUDY OF MURAL PAINTINGS IN VIHARA WAT MAUNG INBURI DISTRICT SINGBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the mural paintings in Vihara Wat Muang, Inburi District, Singburi Province by focusing on stories, beliefs, picture placement and position and contemporary phenomena in paintings.

The results of this research indicated as follows:

Vihara Wat Muang was built around the era of King Rama III and the paintings may be painted around the reign of King Rama IV or King Rama V. The painter used a traditional Thai painting technique with influences from Lan Xang art blended in with Chinese art form. There were distinctive points of blue being the main color of the painting. The paintings described a story of Buddhism, the history of the ablation, there was an interpolation of life and faith of villagers at the time, for example, traveling to worship the Buddha’s footprint in Saraburi.

1. Issues regarding the beliefs of the paintings were still traditional Buddhist beliefs. It is a Buddhist story in which the painters who painted were presented in various details in the history of Enlightenment and Nirvana of the Buddha.


2. Picture placement and position were not according to the original custom, the right wall behind the main Buddha was painted with the image of Maravijaya as the Buddha was entering the Buddhist priesthood and Mrs. Suchada presented the image of the enlightenment. The front wall opposite the Buddha image, a painting of the Heavenly Mother returning from Daowadueng, image of Hell. Left wall had the painting of a Buddha image at the Last Supper, entering the Nirvana Cremation ceremony, and a painting of Buddha’s relics.


3. Contemporary spectacle in murals showed the contemporary way of life of the people during that time. For example, pictures of modern buildings in King Rama IV, arches of the Grand Palace, lifestyle pictures, bonsai paintings, and modern lamp pictures.

The suggestions of this study include that paintings of other temples of the same period or construction should be studied in order to compare the form, concept, and method of presentation to see a relationship or a difference or whether to study for conservation. There should be a study of the valuable and dying murals within Singburi Province that have appeared in many places.