Tibet | Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art

Rubin Museum of Art

In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, newly emerging Tibetan painting styles in Central Tibet were named after famous indigenous masters and artistic centers rather than adopted traditions such as Eastern Indian, Kashmiri, or Nepalese. These new styles, including the Menri, Khyenri, and Gardri, were known for their integration of Chinese-inspired landscapes and corresponding shift to increasingly green and blue palettes of malachite and azurite.

Works of Art

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Black Cloak Mahakala

Tibet, 18th century

Buddha Ratnasambhava with Wealth Deities

Tibet, early to mid-14th century

Buddha Ratnasambhava

Central Tibet, 13th century

Buddha Shakymuni and scenes from his life

Tsang Province, Central Tibet, second half of the 14th century

Four Mandalas of the Vajravali Cycle

Ewam Choden Monastery, Tsang Province, Central Tibet, 1429-1456

Green Tara

Tibet, 17th century

Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra

Central Tibet, early 17th century (ca. 1604)

Padmasambhava

Tibet, 15th century

Pratisara, one of the Five Protector Goddesses

Central Tibet, possibly Densatil Monastery, mid-14th to mid-15th century

Sacred Earthly Realms and Heavenly Paradises

Central Tibet, 17th century

Indian Master Shantarakshita (active 8th century) and Scenes from his Life

Tibet, 19th century

Sherab Chamma, “Loving Mother of Wisdom”

Tibet, 19th century

Situ Panchen as Patron of the Avadana Set, After Situ’s set of The Wish-granting Vine Series of One Hundred and Eight Morality Tales

Kham Province, Eastern Tibet, 19th century

Buddhashri Sanggye Pel (1339–1419) Surrounded by the Yogachara lineage Masters of the bodhisattva vow

Ngor Ewam Choden Monastery, Tsang Province, Central Tibet, ca. 1515-1535

Arhat Chudapantaka

Tibet, late 15th century

Mahasiddha Virupa

Gongkar Chode Monastery, U Province, Central Tibet, ca. 1659-1671

White Chakrasamvara, From Situ’s set of Twenty-seven Tutelary Deities

Kham Province, Eastern Tibet, late 18th century

Illuminated Folio (Title Page) of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparmita) Sutra Manuscript

Western Tibet, 15th century

Illuminated Folio (Frontispiece) of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparmita) Sutra Manuscript

Western Tibet, 15th century

Mountain God Kula Kari

Tibet, 19th century

Eighth Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (1507-1554)

Tibet, ca. 16th century

Phakmodrupa (1110–1170) with His Previous Incarnations and Episodes from His Life

Central Tibet, ca. 1272