Untitled

Unknown

1450–1500 · Distemper on cotton cloth · Asian Art

This powerful depiction of Chakrasamvara embracing his yogini consort Vajravarahi is a highly energized visualization, such as would have been experienced by an advanced tantric master. These are key deities in the Vajrayana system, uniting two of the most powerful ideas in esoteric Buddhism, wisdom, embodied in Vajravarahi, and compassion, the essence of Chakrasamvara. His name, which translates as Circle of Bliss, embodies the powerful union of these two fundamentals tenets of Buddhism. This is arguably one of the finest representations of this subject to have survived from medieval Tibet.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1450–1500

Medium

Distemper on cotton cloth

Culture

Central Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Zimmerman Family Collection, Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation and the Zimmerman Family Gifts, 2017