ANALYSIS OF KING RAMA IV’S CONCEPT THROUGH THE MURAL PAINTINGS, THE STORY OF INAO IN VIHARA, WAT SOMANAT WIHAN

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to study the mural paintings of Inao literature in the royal temple of Wat Somanat Wihan. The research aimed to analyse the inspiration that inspired King Rama IV’s intention to decorate the royal temple with paintings of such a worldly theme. Furthermore, the study searched for the origin of western fine arts techniques and methods used in Wat Somanat Wihan hypothesized to be inherited from the reign of King Rama III. Comparative analyse of mural paintings in Wat Suthat Thepphawararam and in temples built during the reign of King Rama IV were conducted.

In conclusion, King Rama IV was noted for his interested in Plays especially on the theme of Inao literature. In particular, the episode of Unakan which simulated the biography of his late beloved queen, Somdej Phra Nang Chao Somanat Wattanawadee. In order to pay homage to Queen Somanat Wattanawadee, it was his royal intention to build Wat Somanat Wihan painted on the theme of Inao.

Nevertheless, the social context of temples decorated with paintings of stories other than Buddhism had been recorded since era of the previous king. Moreover, a combination of western techniques of fine arts with Thai traditional methods had been practiced since the reign of King Rama III. However, the mural paintings of Inao with superiorly combined techniques showed the progressive skills of the artist in the era of King Rama IV.