Karma Gardri School

One of the main schools of Tibetan painting, flourishing during the 16th and 17th centuries, mainly in eastern Tibet; it was developed by the Karmapa branch of the Kagyu Order and supposedly inspired by the artist Karmapa Mikyo Dorje (1507-1554). The style, which is influenced by Chinese landscape tradition, is often described as evocative, delicate and lyrical. The characteristically Karma Gardri colors of green, blue and red are relatively subtle and restrained. Open spaces with clusters of small figures are typical; landscape elements are also reduced in scale and often stylized. The harmony and serenity of nature are often emphasized. Karma Gardri paintings often consist of multiple small vignettes set in landscape.