Yamantaka

CHINA, Tibet; Qing dynasty

This thangka was painted during the late 18th or early 19th century. The style suggests that it was made in eastern Tibet and was modeled after the brightly colored thangkas of the 17th century. The wrathful red Yamantaka is surrounded by vivid orange flames. Golden hair stands up above the fierce ox’s head. A snake and a garland of severed heads are draped around the neck. Standing upon prone figures, Yamantaka snarls and draws a bow. Manjusri Bodhisattva is depicted in the center of the upper register, flanked by Amitayus Buddha on the left and Dignaga, an Indian monk, on the right. A gruesome offering to Yamantaka is painted in the center of the lower register. Mahakala is in the lower left corner, and Yama stands atop an ox on the right. A river, an emerald green landscape, and tiers of blue sky fill the background.