In this painting Buddhist monks wear rich yellow-coloured robes. They all wear the same colour to show equality with each other. Turmeric, ochre, jackfruit or gamboge (from a tree found in cambodia) are most commonly used. Saffron is too expensive. Saffron has sacred meaning for many cultures including Hindus and Buddhists. For Buddhists it symbolises purity and sacrifice. Sometimes linked to the yellowed leaves of autumn, saffron can mean the detachment from worldly life and dedication to the spiritual.

Titcomb’s father was appointed the first Bishop of Rangoon, Burma in 1877. Titcomb joined him there in 1880 and made drawings and paintings of Buddhists including this priest in rich yellow, or saffron, robes. Titcomb shows the priest as humble, his shaven head and simple dress in contrast to the objects around him.