Buddhism is one of three major religions in the world. Since its
introduction into china, it produced far-reaching influence on China's
philosophy, ethics, literature, art and music. However, it's said that
Thangka, the essential part of Tibetan's painting art, had already
been created there long before Buddhism's entering into Tibetan, which
was in the 7th century on the Tubo Dynasty. The earliest existing
Tangka now is a painting around 11th century. Meanwhile, the world
still keeps a small amount of works dating back to 12th to 15th
century. And works from 17th or 18th century actually account for the
major part. In view of Tibetan's large area, different sects and
teachings, the art of Thangka diversified in its styles. And its
development is closely related to the art of Buddhism of the central
plains and its surrounding areas, such as the central Asia, India,
Kashmir and Nepal.
Painting and embroidery are considered as Thangka's two main
categories according to its texture. The former one is its principal
part while the latter is the work of great value. The Palace painting
of Thangka is rich in content and a wide range of Tibetan Buddhism
images is included. And it has two sources, one of which comes from
the tributes made by the Tibetan artists; the other is painted by
Buddha Lamas and painters from palace of the Qing Dynasty, and
specialized style is formed in handling of constructs, colors and
figures' background, representing Tibetan art's development of Thangka
in 18th in inland.