Devoted to a period of extraordinary cultural achievement - from the 11th to the mid-15th century - when Tibet became known as the Buddhist holy land - this book accompanies a major touring show opening at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in October 1998. It includes a collection of exquisite "thankas" (paintings) that incorporated traditions from eastern India, Nepal and China as well as the Tibetans' own Buddhist imagery. Though Tibet was closed to the West until the early-20th century, many thankas have survived in Western collections and these have been brought together on exhibition for the first time. The book also features scholarly essays that provide historical, stylistic and technical information.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Buddhist art reflects the culture that created it, and the wide divergence of expression in Buddhism is well illustrated by these two catalogs of Tibetan and Japanese art. Not only are the two countries far distant, but their understanding of the precepts of Buddha are radically different. The Tibetan paintings presented in Sacred Visions are attempts to elucidate the mysteries of Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism. Intricate mandalas, multilimbed deities linked in sexual union, serene monks, and images of the many concepts of Buddha are well illustrated in vibrant color photos, each accompanied by a page of religious explanation and artistic analysis. The vivid colors and intricate designs are well conveyed, but slick paper and modern printing don't do justice to the velvety surface of the originals. The Japanese treasures from Nara are so beautifully photographed that it is a pity the photographers are not credited; their contribution matches that of the three writers. Conveying the three-dimensionality of sculpture in photographs is a subtle and exacting art, and the Cleveland Museum has created an exhibition catalog that will have lasting value by virtue of its attention to the quality of photography and printing. The broader range of both the text and the objects illustrated?sculpture, paintings, ceramics, furniture, and bronzes?will bring a broader audience to Buddhist Treasures from Nara, while the narrow focus of Sacred Visions will increase its value to scholars of religion and art.?David McClelland, Philadelphia
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Please --- Envy Me!!!,
By Lydia (NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sacred Visions: Early Painting in Tibet (Hardcover)
Lucky me. I spent the better part of today at the Metropolitan Museum of Art standing before fifty-five incredible 11th through the mid-15th century paintings from one of the great Buddhist civilizations of Asia. I've got to go back tomorrow. Luckily, in the meantime, I have Sacred Visions.If you can, see this exhibition and do not leave the Museum without the accompanying catalogue with wonderful reproductions and essays by noted scholars such as Steven M. Kossack, of the Met, Jane Casey Singer, Tibetan Art Historian, and Robert Bruce-Gardner, from London's Courtauld Institute. One will learn how Buddhism spread from India through Tibet and the effect the religion had on Tibet's people and, hence, its art.The details of the beautifully reproduced works of art are chosen to help illustrate the subtle and important aspects of the Tibetan artist while diagrams, such as for the Vajravarahi Mandala, further explain the iconography. I brought the book into the exhibition to gleen as much information as I could while standing before each work.If you have any interest in Tibet, rush to this exhibition (it closes 1.17.99) to see some beautifully presented mandalas, book covers, etc. If you cannot, you are not "settling" by any means to peruse the catalogue as you will witness Taras, portraits of Lamas, that are not only unique for their beauty and intelligence, but for the remarkable fact that we have them to admire.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sacred Tibetan images explained to viewers,
This review is from: Sacred Visions Early Paintings from Central Tibet (Hardcover)
outstanding description of the history ,meaning and use of thangkas .good explanations which are easily understood even by those who are not very well versed in buddhism .the kind of book I have been looking for over so many years.
5.0 out of 5 stars
review,
By rose (USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Sacred Visions Early Paintings from Central Tibet (Hardcover)
This book arrived in excellent condition and in a timely manner. It is filled with beautiful examples and informative descriptions.
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