This is a Painting of high Mastery of tibetan tradition. It made by a Master of the Newari tradition. This typology of art is handed down only to students chosen by the Master. To realize these works, is necessary to have a special dowry, which a true Master is able to recognize in the students. The aim of this special art is to convey the essence of divinity.
This "contact" takes place by dwelling above all on the face of the deity, capable of transmitting and spreading a particular harmony. This emanation is immediate, and proves to be so deep as to arouse emotion. This is the magic of this special Newari art.
The material realization of a thangka, as indeed happens for most Buddhist art, is highly geometric in nature. Arms, legs, eyes, nostrils, ears and various ritual objects are all placed on a systematic grid of intersecting angles and lines. A good master of thangka generally chooses from a variety of pre-arranged forms, those to be inserted in the composition, on a range ranging from cups for alms, to animals, to the shape, size and angle of eyes, nose and lips of a figure. The procedure appears very scientific, but often requires a very deep knowledge of the symbolism of the scene that is being painted, in order to grasp its essence or spirit.
This painting shows the mastery and excellent quality of Newari Art. The divinity depicted is Green Tara.
Tara represents and embodies the aspect and characteristics of the feminine part of Buddha.
Tara is one of the most popular deities in the Buddhist pantheon especially in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal, Ladakh, Buthan and Mongolia.
The name Tara comes from the Sanskrit root "tr" (to cross, redeem) and translates as "she who allows at living beings to cross the ocean of existence and suffering", therefore the savior deity
It is said that Tara was born from the compassion tears of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Compassion).
However there are two legends regarding the goddess. Avalokiteshvara, looking down on the earthly world from the heavens, was deeply moved to see the sentient beings torn apart by suffering. The tears formed a lake, so a lotus was born from it, and from the lotus flower appears Tara. However, there is another version of the legend in which two Tara were born from the tears of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara : the peaceful White Tara on the left side and the enterprising and dynamic Green Tara on the right side.
Green Tara : She is revered as the patroness of all dangers. Green Tara has the right hand open downwards as a sign of guarantee while the left hand open upwards as a sign of encouragement and holds the stem of a lotus flower with two fingers. Green Tara is the most dynamic manifestation of divinity. It represents the warrior aspect and impetus, longevity, health, dynamism and determination. Her green color symbolizes youthful vigor and resourcefulness.
The material is cotton canvas, and the colors are water-soluble pigments, both minerals and organic materials, tempered with a solution of grass and glue.
