Artwork preview

Mahakala, Protector of the Tent

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting depicts Mahakala, Protector of the Tent, sitting cross-legged. He is dark blue with a red-brown hair. His facial features include a large mouth with an open mouth and tongue out, and multiple small white skulls are on his head. He wears a necklace made of skulls and has a third eye on his forehead. His hands are clasped together in front of him. The background of the painting is dark blue with red and gold accents, and there are several smaller figures around him, including two at the top and several at the bottom. The overall style of the painting is traditional Tibetan Buddhist art.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1650
Medium
Distemper and gold on blue silk
Culture
Tibet
Dimensions
456 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette