Tibet, late 17th century AD
Distemper on cotton

Vishnugupta’s reign (1627-1727) is the same time-period as when this set of Shambhala King paintings were made. His attributes are the trishula (trident) and mala (prayer beads). A young monk apprentice uses his own head to support the king’s left foot. Looking directly up at the king, carrying a child on its back, a white docile snow-lion plays with the silk streamer from a red ball.

Denman Waldo Ross Collection, 1906   06.346