The paintings of 550 Jataka tales

Chao Phraya Aphai Phuthon built the temple on the southern Khlong Mon and proposed it to be the royal temple in King Rama III period. It was named Wat Khruawan.

Tempera painting, Gilding

It was reconstructed in the reign of King Rama IV and V, also in King Rama IX reign by Fine Arts

Ubosot walls are divided into equal sized squares decorated by Kranok pattern frames. Each square is painted a different tale and there is a message written on the bottom of painting. Each story is represented through an important event in each life. Pictures of significant people, for examples, Bodhisattva, angels, and a king with gilded attire, all act according to Natyalakshana (the characteristics of dance art that classify each character). The buildings styles are traditional Thai style and Chinese style. The houses are in modern style of that time.

Wat Khruawan is the most famous temple for the mural painting of 550 Jataka tales which the stories are painted all over four walls of Ubosot. The stories are painted in equal-sized square frames. Each of these squares is painted a story of the previous lives of the Buddha. They were painted by master artisans during King Rama III period as mentioned in the verse of honor for King Rama III composed by a royal page named Mee. There is evidence that 550 Jataka tales were painted before in Dvaravati period. Also, there is the engraving of Jataka tales on the slate slabs on the ceiling of Wat Si Chum during Sukhothai period and the mural inside the Prang chamber of Wat Ratchaburana during the early Autthaya. However, not all 550 Jataka tale are painted, the displayed stories are only the important ones that are well-known in wide. Therefore, the paintings at Wat Khruawan are the most important and perfect one in Rattanakosin period.

สุริยา รัตนกุล, คุณหญิง. พระอารามหลวงในกรุงเทพมหานคร. นครปฐม : มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล, 2550-2552.