Mandala of Hevajra (Primary Title)
thanka (Object Name)

Unknown (Artist)

ca. 1400
Tibetan
opaque watercolor on cloth
Central Tibet
Image: 32 × 28 1/2 in. (81.28 × 72.39 cm)
Framed: 54 3/4 × 42 in. (139.07 × 106.68 cm)
91.509
Not on view

This spectacularly detailed mandala is composed of five smaller mandalas arranged in a cross formation within its characteristic central, square palace. At the center of each diminutive mandala is a different form of the coupled deities Hevajra and Nairatmya. Distinguished by their colors, each is associated with one of the Cosmic Buddhas and the direction of space he governs.

Inscribed with the name of the donor.
Berthe and John Ford Collection, gift of the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
2022-2023: Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art, Cincinnati Art Museum, November 11, 2022 - February 5, 2023; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, March 31 -0 July 10, 2023

Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey toward Enlightenment, VMFA, Richmond, April 20-August 14, 2019

1992-1993 "Mystic Visions: The Virginia Museum's Collection of Nepalese and Tibetan Art", VMFA, July 6, 1992 - January 3. 1993.

1989-1990 "Leaves from the Bodhi Tree", Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, OH, November 11, 1989- January 14, 1990; Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD, , February 17 - April 15, 1990; Smart Gallery, Chicago, IL, October 9 - December 2, 1990.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.