Painting Traditions & Styles

- Art History

- Iconography

- Site Locations

Videos:
- Khyenri Style Painting
- Painting Set 3: Palace Museum

The Khyenri painting tradition & style (中文) is a central Tibetan artistic movement originating with the painter Khyentse Chenmo of Gongkar Chode Monastery (15th century). The Khyenri painting tradition is most closely associated with and influenced by the murals of Gyantse Kumbum and Monastery. There are two distinct subjects of Khyenri painting, (1) peaceful deities and teachers and (2) wrathful deities. Khyenri paintings are known for a bright palette, attention to small detail, portrait like faces and almost perfect circles of light or flame surrounding the deities. Transparent halos are often found with the various Khyenri mahasiddha and arhat paintings sets.

Jeff Watt 5-2000 [updated 1-2016, 5-2017, 4-2020]

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).

Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder)
(Patron) Hvashang

Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder)
(multiple figures)

Indian Adept (siddha)
Ghantapa

Padmasambhava
8 Forms: Nyima Oser

Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder)
16 Elders: Kalika

Mahakala (Buddhist Protector)
Panjarnata (Lord of the Pavilion)

Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder)
16 Elders: Nagasena

Humkara (Buddhist Deity)
(Six Arms)

Kalachakra (Buddhist Deity)
(4 faces, 24 hands)

Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity)
Samputa Tantra (3 faces, 6 hands)

Vajradhara Buddha
(solitary)

Mahamaya (Buddhist Deity)