Lot 171
171
A thanka of Marpa
A thanka of Marpa

EASTERN TIBET, CIRCA 1800

Details
A thanka of Marpa
Eastern Tibet, circa 1800
Seated on a lotus throne with a small table of offerings and ritual objects before him, flanked by his disciple Milarepa at his left and set in a mountainous landscape with scenes from Milarepa's life
27 x 19 in. (69 x 48.5 cm.)

Lot Essay

On his path to liberation Milarepa met Marpa ('The Translator') who became his spiritual tutor. Marpa put him on trial by imposing severe penances. He made him build, tear down and then rebuild a tower, that still exists today at Serkhar Guthong and is depicted at center left; for a further discussion, see M. Henss, 'Milarepa's Tower: An Early Treasure of Tibetan Art and Architecture Rediscovered,' Oriental Art, Summer 1997, no. 2, pp. 15-23.