Lot 52
Sino Tibetan, 19th century. A fine, hand-painted Sino-Tibetan thangka created to honor the Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), a 15th century saint and scholar of Tibet who was the founder of the Gelug Order, surrounded by a sacred ensemble including various Buddhas of the past and Heruka, the fierce form of the Dhyani Buddha. The iconography illustrates how throughout his previous lives, Je Tsongkhapa cultivated his path toward Enlightenment and how his spiritual progression was confirmed by prophesies of the Buddhas of the past. Hand painted on a soft, flexible cotton canvas with a silk fabric backing, the composition is delineated in an exquisitely harmonic color palette. An excellent example rendered according to the cannon of 19th century Thangka painting, a Buddhist form of devotional iconography. Size (sight view of painting): 24.75" L x 15.5" W (62.9 cm x 39.4 cm) Size (including fabric borders): 32.75" L x 21.5" W (83.2 cm x 54.6 cm)
About Tsongkhapa: Tsongkhapa is known for restoring monastic discipline, the prohibition of the use of alcohol, and requiring strict celibacy as well as a regimented daily schedule. His honorary title is Je Rinpoche -Je meaning "exalted". Tsongkhapa's abhorrence of the laxity of many monastic orders gave rise to a strong foundation for the Order of the Virtuous, the Gelugpa. Since the Gelugpas wore yellow hats, this order is sometimes referred to as the Yellow Hats, distinguishing it from other orders called Red Hats. Due to the vow of celibacy, hereditary succession was not possible. The solution was to designate a new monastery abbot or lama as an incarnation of his predecessor. From this arose the succession to Yellow Hats leadership, the Dalai Lama who is regarded as an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara. This line of Dalai Lamas began in the 16th century. Following his death, Tsongkhapa was retroactively named the first Dalai Lama.
According to Meulenbeld's "Buddhist Symbolism in Tibetan Thangkas (2004): "Tsongkhapa was born of poor parents in Amdo, Eastern Tibet, in the Onion Valley. His keen intelligence was evident when he was little. At a young age, he received various degrees from his studies in Central Tibet where he mastered five main subjects taught by a Tibetan monastery university: abhidharma (metaphysics), madhyamika (the Middle Way, between Being and Non-Being), prajnaparamita (knowledge), pramana (logic), and vinaya (monastic rules) . . . Tsongkhapa founded large monasteries and universities, such as Ganden, Drepung, and Sera."
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Manly P. Hall collection
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#179596
- Condition: Painting presents with expected age wear - scuffs/abrasions, areas of pigment loss, and areas of discoloration commensurate with age. This said, imagery and hues are still very good. Silk border shows with expected age wear - some tears, stains, and fraying as shown. Still possesses deep blue color and attractive sheen. Verso has areas of staining and has darkened with age. There is a small label on the verso which has worn with age and is without inscription.
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