Painted Banner (Thangka) of Bon Deity Tonpa Shenrap
16th century
Medium
Opaque watercolor with gold on cotton
Dimensions
117.2 × 92.1 × 6.1 cm (46 1/8 × 34 5/8 × 2 3/8 in.)
Classification
unidentified
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
144929
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
At the center of the thangka, Tonpa Shenrap, the founder of Bon, a pre-Buddhist religion of the Himalayas (prior to the 8th century), presides on an elaborate throne. He is flanked by two attendants and surrounded by a retinue of 250 enlightened beings. He forms a group with the Four Transcendent Lords, and together they are known as the 1,000 enlightened ones. Along the bottom register the donors of the painting preside at the left, while Bon priests – distinguishable by their hats – preside at...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...