Grahamatrika
Tibet
Circa 1400
Distemper on cloth
11 1⁄2 by 9 7⁄8 in. (29 by 25 cm.)
FEATURED ART WORK
This rare early Tibetan thangka depicts Grahamatrika, the “Mother of the Planets,” a goddess venerated for her power to overcome obstacles associated with unfavorable astrological conditions. Rather than focusing on a Buddha or bodhisattva, the painting presents a vision of the cosmos populated by planetary deities, guardian figures, and Buddhist protectors arranged around the radiant central deity. Created around 1400, the painting displays the vivid colors, carefully-modeled drapery, and precise draftsmanship associated with some of the most refined Tibetan paintings of the period. Images devoted to astrological deities are comparatively uncommon, making this thangka an important example of the close relationship between religion, ritual practice, and ideas about the heavens in medieval Tibet.
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