Trinle Chopel

CHINA, Tibet, Lhoka

Trinle Chopel was a Tibetan artist from Lhagyari, Lhoka. He became a student of Yeshe Gyatso at a young age, and when the Takten Migyur Palace in Norbulingka Palace was constructed in 1955, he was involved in the painting of murals including Origin of Tibetans, Tibetan Kings and Officials, Gelug Lineage Tree, Reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas, Biography of Tsongkhapa, and the Dalai Lama Portraits.
In 1980, he was employed by the Tibet Lhasa Guyi Construction Art Department and subsequently, in 1982, 1987, and 1989, he was involved in mural restoration projects at Maitreya Shrine in Tashilhunpo Monastery, Samye Monastery, and the Potala Palace, respectively. In 1984, he was honored with the title, “National Art Master.” Trinle Chopel contributed greatly to the development of traditional Tibetan painting and is known to have nurtured numerous students. A set of his thangka paintings, the Sixteen Arhats Crossing the River, was kept in the Tibet Lhasa Guyi Construction Art Department; the paintings are regarded as rare among thangkas for their depictions of several human figures in different poses.