   
Thubchen Lhakhang
62 x 86 am
This painting presents an interior prespective based on measured drawings
with an imaginary viewpoint in the vestibule outside the lhakhang. This is to enable a
more complete image of the Columned hall which measures 28 x 18 meters. The columns
supporting the central skylight are 7.6 metres high.
The temple was completed in 1472 but has undergone substantial changes since then, most
notably the erection of a new northern wall in 1815 (right side of painting) one bay in
from the original. This blank Mud wall is in stark contrast to the southern wall where
much still remains of the fifteenth century wall paintings depicting the cycle of the
eight Buddhas of Medicine.
Elegant slender columns support capitals carved with the classical Tibetan cloud motif,
all originally painted with the colours of the wall paintings. This painting reconstructs
some of that colouring as well as some of the wall paintings. (Information from an
unpublished manuscript by Roberto Vitali, Glo sMos. thang: an architectural analysis
of its two major temples, 1997). (40)
� Copyright 1998 Robert Powell
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