Himalayan Art Resources

Painting Set: Karma Kagyu Lineage (blue/green)

Karma Kagyu Lineage Painting Sets | Karma Kagyu Main Page

There are currently five known compositions from this set, or series of paintings. The other known paintings listed as private are in Europe and Asia. The dating of the set is a little unclear but certainly cannot be before 1657 which was the death year of the 5th Situ.

Videos:
- Questions About A Karma Kagyu Painting Set
- Karmapa: HAR #163

Five Questions:
- Which Karma Kagyu Lineage is represented?
- What lineage painting set depicts the 5th Tai Situ?
- Which painting tradition has Yongle, Khyenri & 'New Menri' stylistic elements?
- What is the date for the commissioning of the set?
- In what geographic region of Tibet was the set created?

It is also unknown what lineage is being represented in the series of paintings. Common knowledge would assume that it is depicting the Karma Kagyu Golden Garland of Mahamudra Lineage Teachers, however the 5th Situ is not normally counted as a member of that lineage.

The lower left corner of the Situ painting has a standing Vaishravana figure. This depiction belongs to the set of the Four Direction Kings. Vaishravana is generally considered the leader of the group. It is possible that this is an indication that there are three following compositions each depicting the remaining Kings. With three additional figures dating to post 1657 should move the date of the last lineage teacher squarely into the early 18th century.

The landscape background is in a Yongle period Chinese style. The figures follow a late tradition Khyenri style. Some of the clouds have a scalloped shape with strong multi-coloured bands of outlining which follows the style of Choying Gyatso known as 'New Menri.' This mixture of styles is unusual most notably the scalloped banded clouds.

The evidence is not fully compelling, as yet, however it is very possible that this painting set is a commission of the 8th Tai Situ Chokyi Jungne completed some time soon after his first visit to Gongkar Chode Monastery.

Jeff Watt [updated 3-2017, 3-2023]


Jeff Watt 12-2008 [updated 3-2017]