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The painting’s reverse contains a beautifully inscribed dedication A THANGKA OF SYAMATARA
referencing the Seventh Dalai Lama Lobsang Kelsang Gyatso, TIBET, 19TH CENTURY
suggesting a date of production within or soon after his reign period Distemper on cloth.
(1720-57). 11 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (30.2 x 21.9 cm)

“May the merit accumulated in the three times from creating this $5,000 - 7,000
painting enable us to spread Buddha’s teachings in general and
specifically the teachings of Tsongkapa. May all the Teaching Holders
in general and particularly Lobsang Kelsang Gyatso live long, 西藏 十九世紀 綠度母唐卡
and [their] Dharma activity flourish widely. May all sentient beings
experience temporary happiness and also quickly attain the stage of This elegantly positioned Green Tara, the spiritual consort of
the union of Vajradhara permanently.” Avalokiteshvara, carries a lotus stem and flower on her palms and sits
on the white lotus throne with precious jewels in the foreground. Her
The ‘merit accumulated three times’ mentioned in the inscription ribbon-like scarf undulates on either side against the lapis blue aureole.
refers to this painting being one of an initial set of three depicting
the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future. Here Dipankara, the The paradisiacal landscape is executed with subtle brown and green
Buddha of the Past, is surrounded by an assortment of the Sixteen washes. The techniques used to render the mountain ranges recall the
Arhats and two guardian kings. The composition is a fine example visual apparatus of Ming dynasty painting, as do the flowers. The color
of the New Menri style developed by Choying Gyatso in the 17th palette, composition, and figural forms reflect a distinct Tibetan taste.
century. For a thangka of a Panchen Lama in the same style see Rhie
& Thurman, Worlds of Transformation, New York, 1999, p.361, no.130. Provenance
See a complete set of the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future Private Californian Collection
rendered in the Palpung style of Eastern Tibet (HAR set no.1754).

Provenance
Moke Mokotoff, New York, 16 September 1995
Private Florida Collection
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