Late 17th century

Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi with Attendants, Mahasiddhas, Ganesha, and Donors

In Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism overlap in a variety of ways, sharing rituals, visual language, and even deities. The Newar artist of the Kathmandu Valley who made this painting may have been a follower of both Buddhism and Hinduism, but he certainly would have accepted commissions from patrons of both religious. Here the blue-bodied Buddhist deity Chakrasamvara embraces his red consort, Vajravarahi. The elaborate archway in which they stand, as well as their ornaments and clothing, are characteristics shared with contemporaneous Hindu paintings from the region. One fascinating element is the smattering of ritual sandalwood paste on the painted surface, physical evidence that this work was used for devotion.