Eighth Situ Panchen

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This 18th century thangka painting depicts Situ Panchen Choyki Jungne sitting on a blue cushion atop a red Sumeru throne. He wears a red ritual hat, holds a lotus stem in each hand, and forms a mudra in front of his chest. The lotus blossoms support a sword and a scripture. His red and orange monastic robe is decorated with beautiful golden patterns and has realistically painted folds. In front of the throne, there is an altar laid with offerings. The throne is surrounded by green grass, flowers, and a small pond. At the bottom of the picture, there are three standing Dharma protectors with nimbuses and mandorlas. A red-bodied Buddha and two Bodhisattvas sit up in the clouds at the top of the image.