2026-05-09T06:21:23Z

University of Virginia collection of thangkas

Creator

University of Virginia. Library

Abstract Or Scope

This collection contains three Tibetan commissioned by the University of Virginia Library for the opening of the renovated library in 2024. Thangkas are paintings on on cotton or silk appliqué, typically of a deity, scene or a mandala and act as a visualization support for mediation practices or other Buddhist rituals. The titles of the three thangkas are Seventeen Philosophers, Four Friends, and World Peace Mandala. The three scrolls are on cotton canvas, painted with stone colors and decorated with 24-carat gold on brocade with wooden handles. All were scanned, and two were reproduced to display outside the Tibetan reading room in Shannon Library 2024. These were created by the Rincheling Gallery and Art School located at Boudhanath, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.