What is a Thangka?
Thangkas are devotional paintings used by Buddhists in their homes, monasteries, or temples. The paintings were often rolled and unrolled many times, and marred by water stains or soot from temple candles. All of which add to the beauty of these important ancient paintings.
Thangkas differ in colors, artistic styles, subject matters and deities, and can be woven or painted. Thangkas are usually small in size, like a western standard portraiture. Historical Thangkas hanging in monasteries were destroyed or removed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and what has remained has been sought after, restored and collected. Very large, energetic Thangkas with harmonious compositions of devotional deities are of tremendous interest, because these would have hung in monasteries or displayed during significant ceremonies and festivals. Today, these rare Thangkas are also displayed in art galleries and museums.
Introducing an important Tibetan Thangka with White Tara Seated in Mudras, c.19th Century. This large Thangka is an exemplary example of the visual presence they command, being over 60 inches tall by 48 inches wide, unframed.
White Tara is a Female Buddha of compassion, long life, healing and serenity. She is known as the “Mother of Liberation”, and represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. Here, she is surrounded by Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. On the backside of the Thangka is a hand-painted Tibetan Sanskrit prayer, along with a palm print from the hand of a monk.
The vibrant red, green, blue, and orange pigments on the White Tara deity and the surrounding figures are almost as vibrant as the day they were painted. The deep cobalt-like blue colors are made from semiprecious Lapis Lazuli crushed into a pigment.
This White Tara Thankga is energetic and vivid, even with the build up of collected soot from years of temple incense. A centerpiece for meditation and prayer, this White Tara appears to have been displayed in a Tibetan Monastery and revered by monks for decades. Now, a stunning decorative centerpiece to a home, studio, office or room. An important art and antique investment. A constant blessing for a compassionate long life.
Framed in contemporary solid wood and non-reflective plexiglass. Thangka dimension: Height 60.6 inches; width 48 inches. Framed dimensions: Height 71.2 inches; width 57 inches.
