Emperor Qianlong as a Monk

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This thangka features Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty. At the time, court paintings often portrayed the emperor as a Buddha or Bodhisattva. According to the Tibetan inscription on the throne, here the emperor is associated with Manjusri. Painted in his later years, Emperor Qianlong sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne. He is clad in a monastic robe and ceremonial hat. His right hand forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra and the left hand holds a Dharma wheel. The Jesuit artist Giuseppe Castiglione is thought to have painted the face, and court painters filled in the rest of the picture. Large flowers and flaming jewels surround the emperor, and he is flanked by the seated Tara and Manjusri. Above the central figure, there is a lineage tree with the Third Changkya shown among disciples and Bodhisattvas. There are also images of flying practitioners and heavenly palaces. Dharma protectors such as the Six-Armed Sadbhuja, Mahakala, and Acala are shown in the lower register.