Incarnation Lineage: Panchen Lama (Single Composition Painting)
Panchen Lama Art History Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Single Composition Description (below)
- Choying Gyatso Painting #99075
- Tashi Lhunpo Style Painting
- Beijing Style Painting #1075
- Other Painting Styles
- Artist's Figures
- Nartang Composition Figures
- Masterworks: #1057, #76064, #94400, #99075
- Confusions
- Others...
There are two distinct iconographic styles for the depictions of the individual figures in the incarnation line. The first is a general presentation of the previous incarnations and the second follows the Nartang style iconography. Both iconographic styles share characteristics in common with the possible original painting by Choying Gyatso, HAR #99075
General Iconography: 65930, 69608, 74091, 94402, 99075.
Nartang Iconography: 1057, 76064, 94400.
The images below depict the incarnation line of Panchen Lamas in a single composition. Three of the paintings are exceptional examples because of the different artistic styles. Two are exceptional because of the portrait quality of the central figure.
The earliest painting depicting the incarnation lineage of Panchen Lamas is the portrait of Chokyi Gyaltsen (#99075) surrounded by his predecessors. This painting is believed to be created by the Tashi Lhunpo artist Choying Gyatso in the mid 17th century.
The 18th century painting of Lobzang Palden Yeshe (#1057), in a Chinese artistic style, is clearly intended to be a portrait with what can be assumed as a true likeness of the Panchen Lama.
The 19th century composition of Lobzang Tanpai Nyima (#94400) exhibits a very fine over-all Tashi Lhunpo artistic style. The condition of the painting is excellent and very easy to read with clearly defined figures accompanied by non-competing dark and light contrasting colours.
Jeff Watt 1-2012 [updated 1-2019]
