"THE GREAT FIFTH" - NGAWANG LOBSANG GYATSO (1617-1682), Central Tibet, 18th ct. Tempera and gold on cotton, origincal brocade mounting. Showing the V Dalai Lama, who is considered as the most prominent Dalai Lama of Tibet's earlier history, being an excellent politician, scholar, and most important protector. Under his leadership, the construction of the Potala in Lhasa was begun, depicted in fine detail to the right of this Thangka. Inside a visionary rainbow circle, painted in gold, Padmapani Avalokiteshvara appears carrying the pelt of a gazelle over his shoulder, holding the golden eight-spoked Dharma wheel in his left hand, hiding a blue iron phurba in his yellow belt. Also shown are Dakini Narokhachöma as an initiation deity as well as the Panchen Lama (?). The lower right corner shows a small scene of the year 1637, when the V Dalai Lama met with the Mongol ruler Gushri Khan, the lower left corner showing an emanation of Brahmarupa Mahakala.