Historical information

The print was created using a traditional woodblock technique. After ink is spread over a rectangular block carved with words and religious images, a thin piece of paper is placed atop the block and a roller is run over it. Then the paper is put aside to dry.

Physical description

This woodblock print on hand-made paper depicts Gesar, a legendary Tibetan warrior king who is invoked as a protector of the Buddha's teachings and emanation of Padmasambhava. Gesar's image is surrounded by four magical animals - garuda (top left), makara (top right), tiger (bottom left) and snow lion (bottom right).