Image from a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali)
14th/15th century
Medium
Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions
16 × 14.5 cm (6 1/4 × 5 3/4 in.)
Classification
ink
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
198077
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Image from a Set of Cards (Tsakali, created by an unknown artist in the14th or 15th century, hails from the rich tradition of Tibetan Buddhist art. just 16 × 14.5 cm, these small ink and watercolor paintings on paper were designed as portable ritual aids, part of larger sets used during tantric initiations. Likely depicting a deity or symbolic motif central to Vajrayana practices, the card served as a visual focus for meditation and empowerment ceremonies, helping practitioners invoke divine energies. The medium—fine ink lines paired with vibrant watercolors—exemplifies the pre...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...