114 x 68,5 cm Condition A THANGKA OF TSONGKHAPA (1357-1419) IN ONE SCENE OF THE JATAKAS, Tibet, 2nd half 18th ct. Tempera and gold on cotton cloth, original brocade frame. Jatakas usually consist of an uneven number of images, which are arranged around a central thangka. The series, this impressively painted thangka is a part of, could have consisted of up to 15 pieces. Because of the seated position of the Holy One-facing the central image-one can see that this thangka would have been set up to the right of another central one. The scenes show stages of Tsongkhapa, probably starting when he was 63 years old. In this image, he appears in an upright position on an altar-like throne, his feet resting on a separate stool, in the shape of a lotus flower. In these scens, one can see Jokhang in the lower left, with the central image of the crowned Jobo-Buddha. Directly surrounding the Holy One is a group of Tantric deities. To his right is a group of clerics. Above him, upper left corner, more deities appear: The white Manjughosha, Sitatapatra with a white umbrella, six-armed Ushnishvijaya, Amitayus in red skin, the goddess of fertility with a golden ear in her left hand and the lapis-coloured medicine buddha Bhaishayaguru. In the upper right corner is Tsongkhapa with a visionary mandala and numerous Buddhas in the five colours of the Tathagatas. In front of this mandala appearance he is offering up sacrifices honouring the Buddhas, next to an altar adorned with lights and tormas. Further scenes of this thangka revolve around his setting up of various imagery works for various deitis and can be found in the following biographies: Rudolf Kaschwsky: "Asiatische Forschungen, vol. 32, part 1, Wiesbaden, 1971: 203. Giuseppe Tucci: "Tibetan Painted Scrolls, Roma, 1949, vol. II, 417, thangkas 55; fig. 107-120, plates: 90.-Property from a French private collection, acquired at Bailly Pommery Voutier, 12th April 2012, lot 91-Minor wear, few small water stains