Bhaviveka (Lekden Je, ca. 500–ca. 578), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Location
Tibet

Date
19th century

Material
ground mineral pigment on cotton

Dimensions
dimensions vary, painted area of central thangka (Sixth Panchen) 26-7/8 × 16¼ in. (68.3 × 41.2 cm)

Collection
American Museum of Natural History, New York; cat. nos. 70.2/1216–1228

Photo Credit
Courtesy of the Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History

Full set of Portraits

1: Fourth Panchen Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1567–1662), 2: [Second Panchen] Sonam Choklang (1439–1504), 3: Yungton Dorje Pel (1284–1365) 4: Go Lotsawa Khukpa Lhetse (11th century), 5: Bhaviveka (Lekden Je, ca. 500–ca. 578), 6: Subhuti (Rabjor), 7: Sixth Panchen Lobzang Pelden Yeshe (1738–1780), 8: Manjushriyashas (Jampel Drak), 9: Abhayakaragupta (Jigme Jungne Bapa, d. 1125), 10: Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyeltsen (1182–1251), 11: [First Panchen] Khedrubje Gelek Pelzang (1385–1438), 12: [Third Panchen] Wensapa Lobzang Dondrub (1505–1566), 13: Fifth Panchen Lobzang Yeshe (1663–1737)

Square brackets indicate retroactively applied titles. Design courtesy Wen-shing Chou

Object Essay
Side-by-side depictions of robed figure amid landscape and figures in roundels: at left, black and white outline of image; at right, full color

Abounding Visions of Eminent Lives

Nartang Woodblock Prints and Their Painted Copies: Previous Lives of the Panchen Lamas Nartang printing house, Tsang region, central Tibet second quarter of 18th century (and a painted copy) Explore essay