Medieval · Cleveland Museum of Art · 1993.160.a
Portrait of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110–1170)
Unknown maker, 1200s
Cleveland Museum of Art · Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund · Public domain
- Artist
- Unknown maker
- Date
- 1200s
- Medium
- gilt bronze with gold, silver, copper, turquoise, lapis, and coral inlay
- Dimensions
- Overall: 13.5 x 12 x 8.5 cm (5 5/16 x 4 3/4 x 3 3/8 in.); Base: 8 x 19 x 14 cm (3 1/8 x 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.)
- Era
- Medieval
Why it matters
This portrait statue depicts the first monastic leader of the prominent Buddhist monastery of Densatil, an influential early leader of the Tibetan Buddhist monastic order called Kagyu, famous for his views on the importance of meditation. He sits on a lotus pedestal and lion throne, like a Buddha, and his hand positions (mudras) communicate that meditation leads to enlightenment.