Arts
Roerich
Pictured here is “Milarepa, The One Who Harkened,” painted in 1925 and part of Roerich’s Banners of the East series. Milarepa, who lived in the 12th century, is one of the most famous Tibetan yogis and poets. He is known for having embraced Buddhism despite a troubled past and for becoming an exemplar of dedication and mastery.
On the bottom left, you’ll see a photo of the Lamayuru monastery in Ladakh. Inside the the monastery is the Naropa cave (bottom center), the actual place where Naropa, Milarepa’s teacher, meditated for several years. The statue in the photograph is one of Naropa in the canonical pose used for representing both Naropa and Milarepa. On the bottom right, you can see another example of Milarepa in this canonical pose from a recent auction at Christie’s. Roerich visited Lamayuru and must have seen this statue, which no doubt inspired his painting of Milarepa.
If you’d like to see this painting in person, please visit our museum. Our hours are listed on our website, roerich.org.
*Photos copyright Gvido Trepsa
Joseph Elmer Yoakum, Grand Prarie Cherryale Kans, n.d., Watercolor, graphite on paper, 9 x 12 in, 22.9 x 30.5 cm.
