TIBET, XVIEME SIECLE

Superbly painted this thangka represents four mandalas of Kapaladhara Hevajra. The white Hevajra in sexual union with his dark-blue consort Nairatmya stands in the centre of the mandala. He is surrounded by four identical mandalas except for the main deities. One is showing the sixteen armed Hevajra while the other three more simply executed emanations, all dancing in the ardhaparyanka posture. The mandalas are surrounded by the eight cremation grounds.
The quality of this painting is astonishing and shows the high skill of the artist. Meticulously drawn with the finest possible lines and filled in with the prescribed contrasting colours. Every figure and detail is rendered with precision and delicacy.