In this painting the great Tantric adept (mahasiddha) Naropa sits gazing up at a red dakini flying in a dynamic pose in the upper-right corner. The composition is characterized by a striking mixture of naturalistic and stylized elements. While the foliage and birds are quite naturally rendered, Naropa’s throne is brightly painted, unusually geometric, and highly stylized. This stands out starkly with the equally formalized ink monochrome tree trunk, with its writhing pink vines that look like intestines.A table of Tantric ritual implements sits above Naropa wedged between the branches of a tree. A remarkable amount of detail is polished into the gold surface of the bell. Unusual attention is given to the diverse offerings set up to the right of the throne, including a plate of five different meats: human, elephant, horse, dog, and cow, which are considered taboo by mundane beings.

Artwork Details

Title
Mahasiddha Naropa
Dimensions
52 1/4 × 33 1/8 × 1 in.
Medium
Pigments on cloth
Origin
Kham Province, Eastern Tibet
Classification(s)
scroll painting paintings
Date
19th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Purchased from the Collection of Navin Kumar, New York
Object number
C2005.20.4
HAR Number
65496
Published references
* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014. Pp. 16-17* Jackson, David Paul. A Revolutionary Artist of Tibet : Khyentse Chenmo of Gongkar. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2016. Fig. 7.40: pp. 186, 189-190

Begin your search...

Transmission

Concepts

The passing down of authentic Buddhist teachings from a teacher to a disciple or student, often in the form of a text in a ritualistic context.

See more

Lineage

Concepts

The transmission of teachings from one generation to the next, from teacher to student, traced all the way back to the Buddha without interruption. A complete lineage is essential in Tantric Buddhist practices as it makes the blessings of the teaching more powerful.

See more

Instruction

Concepts

Teachings and precepts that offer practical and experiential guidance. In Buddhism instruction is primarily an oral tradition and is often targeted to the specific needs or disposition of a student or disciple.

See more

Legendary and Historical Humans

Figure Type

Himalayan art includes portraits of legendary and historical humans, including accomplished religious teachers (lamas), the Buddha’s original disciples (arhats), and spiritually accomplished tantric masters (mahasiddhas).

See more

Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

See more

Sign up for our emails

Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work. You can unsubscribe at any time at the bottom of our emails. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Discover artworks, articles, and more by typing a search term above, selecting a term below, or exploring common concepts in Himalayan art.