Page 60 - Himalayan Art Macrh 19 2018 Bonhams

3028
A BLACKGROUND THANGKA OF VAJRABHAIRAVA
TIBET, 17TH CENTURY
Distemper and gilt on cotton.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61579
11 1/4 x 9 1/4 in (28.5 x 23.5 cm)

$40,000 - 60,000
西藏 十七世紀 大威德金剛唐卡

This potent blackground thangka depicting Vajrabhairava and his retinue is painted with
fine, spontaneous brushstrokes that convey a sense of ferocious movement and vitality.
Every inch is covered with an ingenious balance of techniques and materials between
the thin gold lines, washes, shading, and red and white pigments. The overall has an
embroidered quality. A multitude of subjects are cleverly placed on a diagonal register
receding gradually from the outstretched arm of Yama Dhamaraja at the bottom center,
running to Vajrabhairava immediately above and behind, and then to the distant mountain
and retinue figures near the top-left corner.

Provenance
J.A.N. Fine Art, London, late 1980s/early 1990s
Private European Collection

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