Buddhaisawan Chapel: Happy Marriage

THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period

The Buddhaisawan Chapel is located in the Bangkok National Museum. The four interior walls of the chapel are covered with murals dating from the time of King Rama I (reigned 1782–1809). One section of the murals illustrates the Life of the Buddha and covers the bottom of the west wall, the space between the doors on the east wall, and the gaps between the windows on the north and south walls. This image of the grand wedding of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya is painted on the lower right section of the west wall.
The wedding is shown in the center of the picture. Within the main hall of a magnificent Thai palace, numerous heavenly beings and guests are seated in three rows. The screens behind them are decorated with golden floral patterns. The newlywed couple sit opposite each other on a raised platform. Several heavenly musicians perform in the center of the bottom row of figures. Outside the palace, maids peek in the windows, adding a human touch to the image. Both gates behind the palace are open, with guests and curious people bustling in. In the upper left corner, Queen Maya, surrounded by maids, is shown preparing for the marriage within a golden pavilion. In the upper right corner, Queen Maya sits in the marriage sedan chair supported by attendants. A large entourage at both the front and rear march holding spire-shaped banners.
The three different scenes are separated by trees and buildings, a common approach in Thai paintings. The red spikes painted around the spires of the palace in the center and the golden pavilion on the left highlight the unique architecture of Thai buildings, accurately depicted by the artist.