Masterworks, a regularly rotating exhibition at the Rubin, explores major strands in the development of Himalayan art, covering a period of over 1,000 years, and presents some regional artistic traditions in their broad cultural, geographic, historical, and stylistic contexts. The 2014 iteration of this exhibition draws from the Rubin collection and long-term loans and incorporates a considerable number of new works gifted to the Museum recently. Masterworks is organized geographically, showcasing the diversity of the art of Tibet over time and in relation to neighboring Bhutan, India, Kashmir, Nepal, China, and Mongolia. Highlights from this exhibition include a rare sixth to seventh century Gandharan Style Buddha from Afghanistan, recently purchased with funds from an anonymous donor; a newly acquired Nepalese manuscript folio with a depiction of Buddha Ratnasambhava from ca. 1200; a rich and colorful scroll painting of a group of protective deities from the late 18th century featuring a young Dalai Lama; and an embroidered image of Vajrapani produced under the guidance of Tibetan Buddhist teachers in an image-making technique perfected under the lavish patronage of the Chinese Ming court.
Curated by Christian Luczanits
This exhibition is supported, in part, by Contributors to the 2015 Exhibitions Fund.