Artwork

Portraits of Two Lineage Masters of the Kagyu Order: Phagmo Drupa (1110–1170) and Tashipel (1142–1210)

Portraits of Two Lineage Masters of the Kagyu Order: Phagmo Drupa (1110–1170) and Tashipel (1142–1210) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1273 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This Tibetan thangka painting depicts two prominent lineage masters of the Kagyu Order: Phagmo Drupa (1110–1170) and Tashipel (1142–1210), alongside their revered teacher Gampopa (1079–1153) in a smaller, elevated form.

Subject & Meaning

The primary subjects are Phagmo Drupa and Tashipel, shown in discourse, symbolizing the transmission of spiritual lineage. Gampopa's presence above emphasizes his foundational role in their tradition. The depiction reflects the institutional and spiritual lineage of the Kagyu Order.

Technique & Style

Executed as a devotional cloth scroll (thangka), the work features characteristic Central Tibetan stylistic elements, including vibrant colors, stylized mountain ranges, and symbolic motifs (halos, lotus pedestal, thrones with elephant-trunked crocodiles and rearing griffins).

History & Provenance

Tashipel, on the right, is noted for founding Taklung Monastery in Lhasa, a pivotal Kagyu institution. The painting's specific provenance is not detailed here, but its creation aligns with the tradition of portraying high-ranking lamas in early Tibetan thangkas.

Context

Created in the context of early Central Tibetan Buddhist art, this thangka serves both as a devotional object and a lineage record, highlighting the importance of monastic leaders and spiritual heritage in the Kagyu tradition.