Painting Schools of Tibet Thangka – ManNyang Painting School

Painting Schools of Tibet Thangka – Introduction of ManNyang Painting School

As Tibetan traditional art, Tibet Thangka can be divided into three great schools. The ManNyang Painting School is one of these three schools. It is the painting school with largest effect in Tibet. The center of ManNyang Painting School is Lhasa, and it is popular in whole Tibet. Manla Tongtsu, who is the founder of ManNyang Painting School, was born in present Shannan Prefecture, hence the name "ManNyang Painting School". Manla Tongtsu every studied from Duoba Tashi who was a painter in Sakya District. He studied very hard and made outstanding achievement. Painting of ManNyang Painting School paid more attention to the usage of lines which are neat and smooth, strictly and changeable. Meanwhile, colors are also bright and lively. ManNyang Painting School emerged and formed in Zanpo Period and thrived from middle of Pazhu Period and Gandan Pozhang Period.

Painting Schools of Tibet Thangka – Famous Painters of ManNyang Painting School

There are large numbers of outstanding painters with masterful technique in ManNyang Painting School. For example, famous painter Chengardan, Bandan Luobu Zuisang Living Buddha in the period of third Dalai Lama (middle of 16th century) and famous Luozha Danzengluobu, Qunqin Zhugu Ciren, Suoqin Qieyangrangzui, Nazedalong, Baigong in the period of fifth Dalai Lama (middle of 17th century) are highly successful maters. Among these famous painters of ManNyang Painting School, the most outstanding painters are the tenth Garmabaqu Yingduoji and the coetaneous Quying Jiatso Living Buddha. The Tenth Garmabaqu Yingduoji can draw delicate images of Buddha when he was 8 years old. At the same time, he also mastered techniques of sculpture and embroidery. In the early period, the tenth Garmabaqu Yingduoji followed the painting style of Manla Tongtsu. In the middle period, he changed his painting style and created new style of Garchi Painting School.

Painting Schools of Tibet Thangka – Achievement of ManNyang Painting School

In the end of 17th century and early of 18th century, ManNyang Painting School was at its golden age, and skillful painters emerge in an endless stream. A large part of frescos and Thangka in Potala Palace, Norbu Lingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery were painted by painters of ManNyang Painting School. Tibetan painting came into maturity and prosperity after developed to New ManNyang Painting School. Tibetan painters, after several centuries' practice, combined popular Indian and Nepal painting style in early period and art in Han National after Yuan Dynasty and gradually formed unique Tibetan religious painting style. The ManNyang Painting School can be regarded as the culminant school. Comparing with the Chintse Painting School which is with strong Indian and Nepal style and the Karma Gardri School which was affected by art of Han Nationality, ManNyang Painting School show more pure local painting style and obvious flexible consciousness, with more strong nationality characteristics. About composition, the main deity on the painting will vary with different