A matured use of shadow and detail can be seen in this tangka, indicating a later, more developed art form. It lacks the detail to symmetry found in the other two examples as well. This piece provides an excellent contrast to the earlier two Tangka that were examined. it's attention to shading, clear outlines, and accents in gold may indicate the Menris school of the 1500s (Tibetanartschool.com). Conclusion

Tangka paintings are an important part of Tibetian life. Many regional differences exist in the painting styles and techniques that are employed in the paintings. It might be noted that Tangkas in western Tibet take on a Chinese flavor. Tangkas of the religious nature are divided into three major portions. They are the top, middle and lower portions of the painting, representing the heaven, earth and underworld (U-wayttours.com). In the last two paintings, this was accomplished through the use of top and bottom borders on the picture. However, in the Cleveland Green Tara, an actual sky behind the altar was used.

The artists who created the three Tangkas explored in this research gave many clues as to the time and place that the painting was produced. It is apparent that some variation was allowed, even when the picture was of the same deity and was meant to portray a similar meaning. The three renditions of the Green Tara had several points that seemed to endure throughout the years. The first is the presence of the Lotus flower upon which she sat. The second is the presence of the blue flowers flanking her. The third point that endures throughout the pieces is the presence of representations of the eight physical perils of man. The use of blue elements reminds the viewer not to let anger get the best of them. The constancy of these...

The Cleveland Green Tara tells us that we can look for subtle clues in the Taras that provide to the culture and age of the work. According to Asianart.com, India tangkas are older than Tibetian ones. Therefore, the heavy Indian influence, infused with purely Tibetian elements gives us a clue as to its age. Tangka is one of the key defining art forms of Tibet and one of the greatest connections to its people.
References

Asianart.com. Desire and Devotion: Art From India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe

Ford Collection. < http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/desire/tara.html > Accessed

November 23, 2010.

Rumsey, D. Green Tara. <

http://amica.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/AMICO~1~1~36289~100374:Green-

Tara?sort=INITIALSORT_CRN%2COCS%2CAMICOID&qvq=q:AMICOID=CMA_.1

970.156+;sort:INITIALSORT_CRN,OCS, AMICOID;lc:AMICO~1~1&mi=0&trs=1 >.

Accessed November 23, 2010.

Thanka Paintings. Thanka Painting: Tibetian Art Works or Tibetian Painting. <

http://www.thangkapaintings.com/thanka.php >. Accessed November 23, 2010.

Tibetanartschool.com. The Menris Tradition. < http://www.tibetanartschool.com/About.html

Accessed November 24, 2010.

U-Way Tours.com. Tibet Tangka. < http://www.u-waytours.com/tibet_thangka.htm> Accessed

November 24, 2010/.