A painting of Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara

TIBET, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A painting of Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara
Tibet, 18th century
Seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base in the courtyard of a multi-tiered palace with his principle hands in anjalimudra and the upper hands holding a mala and lotus, surrounded by demi-gods and mythical creatures of the world, all set on the Potalaka mountain
24½ x 16¾ in. (62.2 x 42.5 cm.)

Provenance

Doris Wiener Gallery, New York, by Summer 1978
Collection of Don José Cangas, Madrid, before 2000

Literature

Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 30646

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Lot Essay

Potalaka is believed to be an island off the coast of India, and is the pureland of Lokeshvara and Tara. Green Tara is depicted below the palace, seated with her attendants Marichi and Ekajati in the Rosewood Forest, which is believed to be at the base of Potalaka mountain. Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara is the four-armed lord of the world, and here he is depicted below Khasarpani Lokeshvara, the lotus-holder of the world, who sits one tier below red Amitabha at top, the being of Immeasurable Light. This trinity occupies the entire palace and is surrounded by a delicate halo.

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