Menla Dondrub

CHINA, Tibet, Lhoka

Born in Lhozhag county of Lhoka, Menla Dondrub was originally named Dondrub Gyatso, and was also known as Mentang Chenmo. He was a Tibetan painter, sculptor, and art theorist, as well as the founder of the Menri school of painting. It is said that while traveling in Lhoka, he came across a set of coloring materials and a book of drawing samples, and was suddenly inspired to become an artist. He visited many painting masters of Sakya, and studied under Nepalese artist, Dopa Tashi Gyalpo. He was a diligent student who eventually surpassed his teacher in skill.
Menla revolutionized Tibetan painting after being inspired by the silk thangkas of China. To traditional Tibetan works, he incorporated landscapes and thick and heavy coloration with a touch of tenderness. This style eventually came to be known as the Menri school, which developed into one of the most influential painting schools of Tibet. Apart from painting, Menla was also proficient in sculpture and art theory, having been one of the few art theorists in Tibetan history. One of his most important written works, Wish-Fulfilling Jewel of Iconometry, discusses in detail the theory and practice of religious arts such as paintings and sculptures, and listed tools, materials, and guidelines for producing a work of Buddhist art. The book became a foundation text for the Menri school, and has been recognized by later generations as the standard for producing paintings and sculptures of Buddhist images; moreover, it has undeniably become an important piece of Tibetan art history.
Unfortunately, not many of his works have survived. According to Rosary of Amazing and Marvelous Gems: A Biography of the Omniscient Lord Gendun Drupa Pal Sangpo, Menla led his disciples in painting several murals and thangkas at Tashilhunpo Monastery. The murals painted by them in the central hall courtyard include Sixteen Arhats Around the Buddha, Vajradhara Surrounded by Eighty-Four Mahasiddhas, Twelve Depictions of the Buddha Teaching, Buddha, Bodhisattva, Acala, and Hayagriva. Being a highly influential artist, Menla nurtured many talents in his time, many of which carried forward the Menri school.