Thai mural painting is unique to the visual arts because of conventions that are entirely its own. This style of painting creates scenes without shading or shadows and generally ignores perspective. It pays no particular attention to anatomy, although the use of a refined and highly stylized line makes shapes of figures idealistic. Mural artists pay little attention to observational style drawing. Thai mural painting is likely to use color to denote space, scale to denote importance, and zigzag lines for a change of place. But it may have the same character repeated several times in the same space even if that character is at a different time within the same story.

     Much of the content inside these works is from the Ramakien, which are Traditional Thai stories of the Buddha's ten past-lives before reaching Enlightenment. The treatment of the subject matter is delicate and supportive. It has landscapes with dramatic mountain scapes and mythological beasts. But it is not without a sense of humor. It is common to have scenes of teenagers fighting, street vendors selling or even lovemaking mixed in with these ancient stories. At times there are historical analogies comparing Thailand's enemies to the armies of Mara dispatched to stop the Buddha from reaching enlightenment.

     Traditionally, these works are painted on the inside walls of temples. Many ancient murals have been lost because their nature is temporary. Contemporary artists who have proven their skill are sometimes asked to restore historical and/or respected murals. Works like these have never received recognition in the English art history texts, but have been a vital part of an Eastern art form for at least 600 years.

     As more people come to realize that this is an ancient artistic heritage, this important style would be able to be taught in the West. In contemporary western art it would indeed be rare to see the human form depicted with both the gracefulness of Velazquez and the pathos of the ancient Greeks with a highly stylized line and a pervasive, negative space. As western art has pushed itself away from mythology and even the human form, Thai mural painting continues its tradition of respect for beauty and mysticism.

This drawing on slate is from the Sukhothai period from an unknown artist. It is not only a masterfully executed work, it suggests a tradition of art that is much older than the work itself.