Untitled

Mikyo Dorje

late 14th century · Distemper on cloth · Asian Art

At the center of this mandala, Raktayamari (Red Yamari) is seen in union with his consort, an emanation of himself. He and his consort trample his enemy Yama, the god of death. Radiating from the central square are four differently colored manifestations of Yamari, also depicted in yab-yum (sexual union). The precision, strong colors, and animated line work suggest the hand of a master painter. An inscription identifies the work as a meditation thangka belonging to Kunga Lekpa, likely depicted at lower left, one of the teachers of the great Tibetan theologian Tsong Khapa (1357–1419). The master painter Mikyo Dorje is known to have been active at this time.

Artist

Mikyo Dorje

Date

late 14th century

Medium

Distemper on cloth

Culture

Central Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Zimmerman Family Collection, Gift of the Zimmerman Family, 2012