Portrait of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110–1170)

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Portrait of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110–1170) as sculpture (Central Tibet · 1200s).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

This portrait statue depicts the first monastic leader of the prominent Buddhist monastery of Densatil, an influential early leader of the Tibetan Buddhist monastic order called Kagyu, famous for his views on the importance of meditation. He sits on a lotus pedestal and lion throne, like a Buddha, and his hand position

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

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A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this sculpture as gilt bronze with gold, silver, copper, turquoise, lapis, and coral inlay.

The museum's collection notes: This portrait statue depicts the first monastic leader of the prominent Buddhist monastery of Densatil, an influential early leader of the Tibetan Buddhist monastic order called Kagyu, famous for his views on the importance of meditation. He sits on a lotus pedestal and lion throne, like a Buddha, and his hand positions (mudras) communicate that meditation leads to enlightenment.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtPortrait of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110–1170)

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