Kalmyk-lama 1870

"Kalmyk-lama" is an 1870 oil painting by Vasily Vereshchagin, a Russian artist known for his war paintings. The painting features a Kalmyk lama, a Buddhist spiritual leader, on horseback, with another lama standing beside him. Vereshchagin's work often focused on the realities of war and colonialism, showcasing the everyday lives of people in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The scene depicts a moment of interaction between two individuals, highlighting the culture and religious practices of Kalmyk people in a setting of everyday life. The painting, now housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, demonstrates Vereshchagin's keen observation of detail and his ability to capture the essence of a particular culture and historical moment.