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Gelugpa Lineage Tree

Tibetan
early 19th century
Object Place: Tibet

Medium/Technique Distemper on cotton, mounted with silk brocades
Dimensions Image: 61 × 40.5 cm (24 × 15 15/16 in.)
Mount: 114 × 79.6 cm (44 7/8 × 31 5/16 in.)
Overall: 118 × 79.6 cm (46 7/16 × 31 5/16 in.)
Other (Image): 61 × 40.5 cm (24 × 15 15/16 in.)
Credit Line The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection
Accession Number47.279
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings

DescriptionPainting in hanging scroll (thangka) format, with streamers, veil and decorative stitched borders.

Gelugpa lamas, Buddhas, and other deities appear seated on a large tree. At the top is a Gelugpa lama holding a begging bowl and a small figure of a deity (perhaps Vajradhara). He is backed by two lotuses, one holding a stupa. Above on the clouds are more lamas and a scene with the Buddha. In the upper left corner, a yellow-skinned Bodhisattva stands behind two gelugpa monks in a pavilion. In the upper right corner, an orange Buddha meditates, flanked by white and green Boddhisattvas with praying monks in front, also in a pavilion. Monks and deities appear in a triangular arrangement of clouds. Below, on the right, are monks and lamas making offerings to deities and to the lineage. On the lower left are lay people offering a flaming jewel and an elephant with a flaming jewel on its back. On the lower right, a monk offers a tray of white objects.
Provenance1947, Elizabeth Day McCormick (b. 1873 - d. 1957), Chicago, IL; 1947, gift of McCormick to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 1, 1947)