Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Kalachakra (Buddhist Deity) - (Retinue Figures)

དུས་འཁོར། ནང་ལྷ། 时轮(佛教)
(item no. 65546)
Origin Location Tibet
Date Range 1400 - 1499
Lineages Buddhist
Size 133.99x90.17cm (52.75x35.50in)
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
Collection Rubin Museum of Art
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Deity

Interpretation / Description

Astrological Chart. This unusual painting presents six main figures surrounded by retinue figures. Each of these figures is inscribed and numbered with a letter or combination of letters from the Tibetan alphabet following the Sanskrit enumeration.

It may be that this painting is from a set of two or more paintings.

At the bottom left side of the painting is a female donor figure. The back of the painting has a short inscription dedicating the creation of the painting to the husband and son of the unnamed female donor figure.

Jeff Watt 5-2005

Front of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: Each figure is inscribed.

Reverse of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: Short dedication inscription on back.

Special Features: (Cursive script (Umay))

Secondary Images
Related Items
Publications
Bibliography: Astrology

Thematic Sets
Buddhist Deity: Kalachakra Main Page
Buddhist Deity: Kalachakra (Retinue Figures)
Collection of RMA: Iconographically Rare Works
Painting Type: Charts, Astrological
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 4