Since the reign of Songzän Gambo of the Tubo Dynasty, Buddhism has been introduced to Tubo (the Chinese name for Tibet in medieval times). Thangkas, the unique Tibetan art, refer to a kind of religious paintings which is kept unframed and rolled up when not on display. Most of the thangkas are portraits of Buddhist figures, such as Sakyamuni Buddha, Chakrasamvara, Cakravamsara, and Yanmāntaka. Thangka painters adopt a strong use of colour. Generally speaking, there are two types of thangkas: one is embroidered, made of silk fragments; the other one is mosaic, made from the assemblage of small pieces plateau stones and plants. The materials for making thangkas are scarce natural resources, and the art demonstrates rich spiritual meanings—for both reasons thangkas become very valuable in the eyes of many.

The National Art Museum of China in collaboration with the PRC Promotional Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region, the Department of Culture of Tibet, and the Art and Cultural Union of Tibet Autonomous Region, presents the “Tibet in the Heaven-Joint Exhibition of Top Tibetan Thang-ga Works” exhibition, which shows more than 20 thangkas.

Feature

"Shri Hevajra" by Tsring Wangkha

"The Sakyamuni Buddha at Jokhang Temple" by Püntsok Trashi

"Dakini" by Tsring Chotap

Exhibition Details

Date: 07/01/2017 – 18/01/2017
Venue: The National Art Museum of China
Exhibition Website

Information of the National Art Museum of China

Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no entry after 4:00 p.m.), closed on Mondays
Address: 1 Wusi Dajie, East District, Beijing
Phone: +86 010 64001476
Admission: Free

【Related article: The Mandala in Tibetan Thangkas】