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Portrait of The Great Teacher Marpa

17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 253
This portrait is inscribed with the name of Marpa (1012–1097), one of the seminal figures of early Tibetan Buddhism who was renowned as the principal teacher of Milarapa (1040–1123). He traveled to India several times to study and became the disciple of Naropa, one of the eighty-four mahasiddhas celebrated in Tibet.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of The Great Teacher Marpa
  • Date: 17th century
  • Culture: Tibet
  • Medium: Bronze inlaid with copper and silver; gold plugs
  • Dimensions: H. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 1995
  • Object Number: 1995.176
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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