Zurchen Choying Rangdrol

CHINA, Sichuan, Garze

A Tibetan painter born in the town of Derge, Garze, Zurchen Choying Rangdrol exhibited his talent in painting at a young age. When he was 8 or 9, he learned to sculpt from his father. He eventually became a disciple of Rigdzin Ngagi Wangpo, under whom he studied various subjects, including arts and crafts, Sanskrit, and Tibetan astrology. Zurchen Choying Rangdrol was a religious teacher of the Fifth Dalai Lama, who instilled in him the teachings of the Nyingma school and sculpting techniques. He was able to turn the Dalai Lama into an enthusiast as well as a sponsor of paintings.
In 1639, when he was copying the murals in Dorje Drak Monastery, Zurchen Choying Rangdrol created a large number of artworks. He painted a mural of the Eight Medicine Buddhas in the Menri and Khyentse school styles in the central hall of the monastery in 1644. In his autobiography, he proclaimed himself to be a genius among the painters of his era who painted Dharma protectors. In his biography written by the Fifth Dalai Lama, it was recorded that much of the important information regarding Tibetan Buddhist arts was linked to him.