The Arts of Tibetan Painting: Recent Research on Manuscripts, Murals and Thangkas of Tibet, the Himalayas and Mongolia (11th-19th century). Edited by Amy Heller.

This collection of articles is a hallmark in publication as Asianart.com's first venture in online publication of a complete volume, comprising 13 articles which stem from the 12th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (Vancouver 2010). This volume of recent major discoveries and analyses by distinguished scholars of Tibetan and Mongolian art, history, and language is presented in a format accessible to non-specialist readers as well as specialists, copiously illustrated with detail enlargements. [The introduction above is taken from the Asianart website]. (See Table of Contents).

Additional images of Puntsog Ling Monastery of Jetsun Taranata have been uploaded courtesy of Uranchimeg Tsultem. Along with Gongkar Chode Monastery of Central Tibet, the wall murals of Puntsog Ling Monastery of Tsang Province are an excellent example of the Khyenri style of Tibetan painting.

Additional images of Drolma Lhakang have been uploaded courtesy of Uranchimeg Tsultem. This temple located on the Western outskirts of Lhasa is known for the very large standing bodhisattva figures along with the lion supported thrones. Built by the later Tibetan kings, it is believed that Jowo Atisha visited this temple in the 11th century.

Additional images of Dratang Monastery have been uploaded courtesy of Uranchimeg Tsultem. Located approximately half way between Lhasa and Samye monastery (by road), Dratang Monastery is an excellent example of large scale and beautiful 11th century Tibetan murals.

Additional images of Shalu Monastery have been uploaded courtesy of Uranchimeg Tsultem.

The monastery of Shalu, approximately 40 kilometers from Shigatse, was founded in 1040 A.D. by Chetsun Sherab Jungne. At the suggestion of Buton Rinchen Drub (1290-1364) the monastery was expanded and elaborately decorated by Kunzang Dragpa Gyaltsen in the early 14th century.

There are many different chapels and shrine rooms located on the various floors and sections of the Monastery. Surrounding the central assembly hall on the ground floor is a circumambulatory (korlam) that is fully decorated with murals. Also accessed from the circumambulatory is a very small storage room with a hidden Avalokiteshvara Chapel with murals painted in the iconographic tradition of the Shangpa Kagyu Tradition. For an overview of Shalu Monastery see the Shalu Association: Monastery Report.

Additional images of Sera Monastery have been uploaded courtesy of Uranchimeg Tsultem. The monastery was founded by Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe (1355–1435), a direct student of Je Tsongkapa, in 1419. Sera is counted as one of the largest monasteries of old Tibet along with Drepung, Ganden and Labrang Monasteries. For more information see the Sera Monastery Project on the Tibetan & Himalayan Library website.

Additional images of Samye Monastery have been uploaded courtesy of Uranchimeg Tsultem. Take note of the different mural styles and subjects. Some of the images are almost identical to murals found in the Potala Palace.

Images of the Karpo Lhakang (White Temple) of Tsaparang have been uploaded along with the Do Zhang Temple located some miles distant. These images accompany those of the Marpo Lhakang (Red Temple) which were highlighted on the Himalayan Art Resources Facebook page July 25th - last week.

Tagten Puntsog Ling Monastery was founded by Jonang Taranata at the beginning of the 17th century. The various levels of floors inside the main temple are each decorated in different styles of Tibetan painting, Khyenri, Menri and a unique variation that could be called Jonang style. The images belong to the Sarah Richardson Photographic Archive.

The town of Gyantse is famous for the three major sites of the Fortress, Palkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum. Built in the 15th century, all three sites are a major treasure house of Tibetan artistic culture. The images belong to the Sarah Richardson Photographic Archive.