Artwork Page for Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha

Details / Information for Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha

Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha

c. 1450
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Central Tibet, Ngor monastery

Medium
Gum tempera and gold on cotton
Measurements
Framed: 74.8 x 59.8 cm (29 7/16 x 23 9/16 in.); Overall: 57.5 x 50.2 cm (22 5/8 x 19 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1960.206
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

The first in a series depicting the masters who transmitted the teachings on how to reach enlightenment, this painting begins at the upper left with the dark blue Vajradhara, who represents the essence of all Buddhas. The female enlightened being Nairatmya is seated at the upper right. She transmitted the teachings to Virupa, the brown-skinned Indian yogi at the lower left, in a vision; his disciple Kanha is at the lower right.
A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts four figures in a two-by-two grid, each seated within a gold-arched red niche. Above, two dark blue figures perform ritual mudras. Below, a reddish-brown figure sits atop a gray animal beside a pot-bellied, gray figure holding a skull cup. They rest on tiered lotus bases within a dark blue border filled with miniature deities and white lions. Golden ornaments and halos illuminate the figures.

Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha

c. 1450

Central Tibet, Ngor monastery

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