A painting of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal

BHUTAN, 17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details

A painting of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
Bhutan, 17th/18th century
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal seated on a cushion at center holding a water pot, dressed in patterned robes, the bearded face with serene expression surmounted by a domed cap, surrounded by a multitude of deities, including clockwise from top center Vajradhara, Tilopa, Milarepa, Yellow Jambhala, the indigenous Tibetan wrathful spirit Tsiu Marpo, Shri Devi, the Tibetan mountain goddess Tseringma riding a lion, Vaishravana riding a lion, Marpa Chokyi Lodro and Naropa, all set in a mountainous landscape
Opaque pigments and gold on textile
17½ x 13 1/8 in. (44.5 x 33.3 cm.)

Provenance

Christie's, New York, 14 September 2010, lot 138

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Lot Essay

Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651) was born in Ralung, Tibet as the heir to the Drukpa lineage based around the powerful monastery in that town. At an early age, he was enthroned as the hereditary prince of the monastery and recognized as the reincarnation of the Fourth Gyalwang Drukchen. However, a rival put forth his own candidate for the Drukchen reincarnation, and after establishing a connection to a powerful lord in Central Tibet, made Ngawang Namgyal's position in Ralung untenable. Fleeing to Bhutan in 1616, Namgyal established his seat of power in the Thimpu Valley, and through battle and diplomacy consolidated his power over all of Bhutan. A highly spiritual leader, Namgyal, who took the title of Shabdrung (at whose feet one submits), continued to propagate Buddhism while also establishing secular government institutions. He is seen today as the founding father of the state of Bhutan.

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