Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Thangkas, the portable painted banners of Tibetan Buddhism, are visually distinctive both as physical objects and for their representation of evolving styles and traditions. But while it’s easy to see thangkas’ utility as portable paintings, their stylistic diversity and varied subjects make it more challenging to understand their function and purpose. Why were these thangkas created? How were they used in the Buddhist context?
Hear from scholar Kris L. Anderson to explore the role of thangkas in Himalayan Buddhist culture through the Art Institute’s collection.
Thangkas, the portable painted banners of Tibetan Buddhism, are visually distinctive both as physical objects and for their representation of evolving styles and traditions. But while it’s easy to see thangkas’ utility as portable paintings, their stylistic diversity and varied subjects make it more challenging to understand their function and purpose. Why were these thangkas created? How were they used in the Buddhist context?
Hear from scholar Kris L. Anderson to explore the role of thangkas in Himalayan Buddhist culture through the Art Institute’s collection.
