Initiation Card (Tsakalis): Amoghasiddhi
Unknown Artist
early 15th century
Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Each 6 1/4 x 5 3/4 in. (16 x 14.5 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture
Tibet
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 2000
Accession Number
2000.282.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Initiation Card (Tsalis): Amoghashi*, created by an unknown Tibetan artist in the 15th century, a gem of Vajrayana Buddhist art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Asian Art collection. Measuring just 6¼ x 5¾ inches, these small opaque watercolor paintings on paper were designed for portability, serving as intimate teaching tools during tantric initiations Crafted with vibrant pigments in the traditional Tibetan style, they capture divine imagery in vivid detail, reflecting the era's mastery of miniature painting techniques. Tsakalis like this one depict Amoghasiddhi, one of t...