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In southern Tibet, traditional Nepalese-derived thangka painting, known as the Beri style, reached the height of its popularity in the fifteenth century but flourished into the seventeenth century in some areas, particularly within the Sakya School, even though other indigenous Tibetan styles had eclipsed it elsewhere. In this painting the scroll-pattern backgrounds are visual evidence of this continuation. Characteristics of later Tibetan painting include the continuous landscape in the depictions of the eight charnel grounds in the inner ring surrounding the mandala palace and the blue and green palette.
Mandala of Hevajra
OriginTsang Province, Central Tibet
Date17th century
Dimensions25 7/8 x 22 3/4 x 1 3/4 in. (65.7 x 57.8 x 4.4 cm)
MediumPigments on cloth
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation
Object numberF1996.1.8
Himalayan Art Resources Number444
DescriptionThis mandala, centered on the sixteen-armed meditation deity Hevajra embracing his consort Nairatmya, was skillfully painted according to the system of the great Indian adept Dombi Heruka (about 9th century), who is depicted at the top left riding a tigress. In the upper-right corner is the Tibetan master Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092–1158), who was a pivotal figure in the transmission of the teachings related to Hevajra upon which this mandala is based.In southern Tibet, traditional Nepalese-derived thangka painting, known as the Beri style, reached the height of its popularity in the fifteenth century but flourished into the seventeenth century in some areas, particularly within the Sakya School, even though other indigenous Tibetan styles had eclipsed it elsewhere. In this painting the scroll-pattern backgrounds are visual evidence of this continuation. Characteristics of later Tibetan painting include the continuous landscape in the depictions of the eight charnel grounds in the inner ring surrounding the mandala palace and the blue and green palette.
Not on view
12th century
20th century
16th century
14th or 16th - 17th century
15th century
17th century
1580s-1590s
18th century
First half of the 15th century
ca. 1415-1435
Dated by inscription, 1667