Ulaanbaatar
Finest Works from the XVIII-XX Centuries on Display
Art & Culture
Ulaanbaatar, December 5, 2024 /MONTSAME/. The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts opened a special exhibition “Selection of the Finest Works" on December 4, 2024, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first modern museum in Mongolia.
Through a set of unique and rare exhibits from the Museum’s collection, the Museum aims to promote history, cultural heritage, and art history to the public, particularly young people.
Director of the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, Doctor of Arts P. Baigal said, “On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first modern museum in Mongolia, museums have organized various activities throughout the year. One of the major events is this special exhibition. The exhibition “Selection of the Finest Works” presents 189 sets of artwork from the museum's collection that have never been displayed in the exhibition hall before. The exhibits include different types of fine arts. The visitors can explore a wide range of works, including idols, silk paintings, and artworks of craftsmen, such as castings, relief, and women's gold and silver jewelry.” The Director also highlighted the Undur Gegeen Zanabazar school artworks and the legends of the 84 Mahasiddhas. “The Legends of the 84 Mahasiddhas” is a unique exhibit from a historical perspective.
The Mahasiddhas were enlightened beings who achieved spiritual perfection within a single lifetime. These masters of the Tantric path, who flourished in India between the 8th and 12th centuries emphasized the use of symbolism, ritual, and meditation to attain enlightenment. A total of 38 paintings are kept in the museum from a series of paintings depicting the biographies of the 84 Mahasiddhas. Mahasiddhas are revered as extraordinary figures in Buddhism due to their deep spiritual accomplishments and high level of spiritual mastery over esoteric tantric practices. For that reason, the artworks on the display demonstrate the stories and teachings of the ancient Indian masters in a unique and distinctive way. The serial numbers of the paintings are written in Tibetan letters.
The exhibition will be open to the public in the exhibition hall of the Museum of Fine Arts until January 7, 2025.
