Portrait of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110–1170)
Unknown Artist
1200s
Medium
gilt bronze with gold, silver, copper, turquoise, lapis, and coral inlay
Dimensions
13.5 × 12 × 8.5 cm · base: 8 × 19 × 14 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1993.160
About this artwork
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.