Page 64 - 2020 December 2 Bonhams Arts of Devotion bronzes and Stone carvings

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A THANGKA OF TSONGKHAPA EMANATING Gems and blessings rain down upon the world below, while celestial
FROM THE HEART OF MAITREYA trumpeters celebrate Tsongkhapa’s materialization. In the bottom right
TIBET, 19TH CENTURY corner, a group of monks and lay patrons surround Khedrupje, bearing
Distemper on cloth; with original gold-embroidered silk mounts witness to his vision. In the bottom left corner, a protector of the Gelug
and silk veil. Order, Yama Dharmaraja, guards the painting.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.100611
Image: 101.5 x 66 cm (40 x 26 in.); Published
With silks: 178 x 90 cm (70 x 35 1/2 in.) Armand Neven, Lamaïstische Kunst, Brussels, 1975, no.128.
Armand Neven, Art Lamaïque , Brussels, 1975, no.128.
HKD500,000 - 700,000 Pia and Louis Van der Wee, “Rirab Lhunpo and a Narrative of
Creation”, in Ethnologisches Zeitschrift Magazin, Vol II, 1976, fig.3.
西藏 十九世紀 宗喀巴唐卡 Giles Béguin, Dieux et démons de l’Himâlaya: art du bouddhisme
lamaïque, Paris, 1977, pp.199 & 208, no.237.
Jean Eracle, Om Mani Padme Hum, Morlanwelz, 1980, no.5.
At the center of this uplifting thangka, the founding triad of the Luc De Becker, Tibetaans Boeddhistische Kunst, Leuven, 1982,
Gelugpa Order of Tibetan Buddhism manifests from the heart of no.10.
Maitreya upon a billowing cloud. The order’s founder, Tsongkhapa, Pia and Louis Van der Wee, A Tale of Thangkas: Living with a
sits enthroned, joined by his successors as Ganden Tripa (the spiritual Collection, Antwerp, 1995, pp.40 & 43, fig.13.
leader of the Gelugpas), Gyeltsab Darma Rinchen (1364-1432) and
Khedrup Geleg Palzang (1385-1438). Exhibited
Lamaïstische Kunst/Art Lamaïque, Société Général de Banque à
The wisdom-sword and sutra that blossom by his shoulders are Bruxelles, Brussels, 15 May - 30 June 1975.
attributes of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, with whom Dieux et démons de l’Himâlaya: art du bouddhisme lamaïque, Galeries
Tsongkhapa is associated. In visual allegory, they arise from Nationales du Grand-Palais, Paris, 25 March - 27 June 1977.
Tsongkhapa’s hands as he displays the gesture of ‘Advancing the Om Mani Padme Hum, Musée Royal de Mariemont, Morlanwelz, 25
Dharma’. Above him, Maitreya holds court within Tushita Heaven. April - 5 October 1980.
Tushita’s joyful population dances and prospers, blessed with a host Tibetaans Boeddhistische Kunst, University of Leuven, Belgium, 25
of bodhisattvas, saints, and legendary figures. October - 13 November 1982.
De Taal van de Thangka, Ethnographic Museum, Antwerp, 1995.
This painting is inspired by Khedrup Geleg Palzang’s fifth vision
of Tsongkhapa, as described in his biographies. In times of doubt Provenance
Tsongkhapa consoled Khedrupje, who was tasked with stewarding The Van Der Wee Collection, Belgium, acquired in Amsterdam,
the fledgling school after the founder’s death. October 1968

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