Manjushrikirti, King of Shambhala, From a set of previous incarnations of the Panchen Lamas

Related Essays & Themes

Side-by-side depictions of robed figure amid landscape and figures in roundels: at left, black and white outline of image; at right, full colorProject Himalayan Art
ThemesWoodblock Printing

Woodblock printing became an important technology of production, propagation, and cross-cultural exchange of both text and image in Tibetan, Himalayan, and Inner Asian regions from the 12th century on.

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Two blue-skinned, many-armed deities holding implements, locked in embrace before fiery nimbus
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Northern mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)
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Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting seated Guru wearing resplendent robes in blue, saffron patchwork, and red-and-gold brocade
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Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting serpents and three flayed human skins painted to appear to hang from blue timber rafters
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Courtyard, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
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Courtyard, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
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Tamshing Lhundrub Choling Temple, Bumthang District, Bhutan 1503–1505 with potential later interventions
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Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century
Fearsome white-skinned deity with three eyes and tiger pelt stands in dynamic pose before fiery nimbus
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Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century
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Tamshing Lhundrub Choling Temple, upper floor, Bumthang District, Bhutan 1503–1505 with potential later interventions