Painted Banner (Thangka) of Lineage Painting of Two Lamas in Debate
c. 1500
Medium
Pigment on cloth
Dimensions
Image: 58.9 × 51 cm (23 3/16 × 20 1/16 in.); Overall: 81.3 × 61 cm (32 × 24 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
144970
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This thangka depicts two lamas, most likely from the Sakya Lamdre (Margapala) teaching lineage. The two main figures, in monastic dress, appear seated next two each other, each with their hands raised in distinct hand positions (mudras), while the other lineage holders surround them. Lineage is an important concept in Tibetan Buddhism, since it is believed that Buddhist texts cannot be properly understood without the guidance of a living teacher, who in turn must also have learned directly from...
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...