Patron and Painter - Situ Panchen and the Revival of the Encampment Style March 19, 2009

Of all the Tibetan painting traditions, the Karma Gardri, or "the Painting Style of the Karma pa Encampment," drew the most heavily on Chinese painting for inspiration. It was established by the Tibetan painter Namka Tashi in the court of the 9th Karmapa (15551603) during the second half of the 16th century. Namka Tashi looked to Indian bronzes as figural models in painting, placing them in heavily Chinese inspired landscapes based on products of the Yuan and Ming courts. However, most of what we know of this tradition belongs to the 18th century New Gardri tradition fostered by the great scholar painter Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne (17001774) in Eastern Tibet. Even more important to the history of Tibetan art than Situ Panchen's place as an individual painter is his role as a patron and designer of paintings, many of which continue to be copied down to this day. Admission: Adults - $10.00 Seniors/ Students/ Artists with ID - $7 Neighbors (zip codes 10011 & 10001 with ID) - $7 College students with I.D. - $2 Children (under 12) - Free Museum Members - Free Seniors (65 and up) first Monday of every month are Free Gallery admission is free to all Fridays 7 10 p.m.