Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (1212-1270)

The portrait depicts Guru Chökyi Wangchuk, a prominent Tibetan religious figure who lived from 1212 to 1270. As a key figure in the Kagyu lineage, his representation reflects reverence for his spiritual contributions and the transmission of Buddhist teachings across centuries.

Although the specific medium is not recorded, the painting follows conventional Tibetan iconographic conventions of the period, employing precise line work and vivid coloration to convey the subject’s sanctity. The composition likely adheres to traditional frontal portraiture, emphasizing the figure’s dignified presence.

Created in 1850, the piece entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its acquisition adds to the museum’s representation of Tibetan religious art, linking a nineteenth‑century European‑styled work to a thirteenth‑century Buddhist master.