Tangtong Gyalpo (1361-1485) was considered a 'Renaissance man' as a master engineer, musician and scholar. Also known as the "Builder of Iron Bridges", this epithet came about inadvertently when he was refused ferry passage due to his wild appearance. He proceeded to build bridges throughout Tibet, funding his efforts by instituting Tibet's first opera troupe. The bridges in essence facilitated the spread of Buddhist dharma.
He is depicted here as he typically appears, a seated older man with a long white hair and beard. Here he is holding a vase, although he is at times depicted holding a medicinal pill signifying his role in curing epidemic diseases. The painting is executed in the Eastern Tibetan Palpung Style reflected by tones of graded color in blue and green, allowing for a vastness of open space. Paintings of Tangtong Gyalpo are of somewhat rarity, compare the present painting to another Eastern Tibetan painting of the figure in the collection of the Rubin Museum (acc. no. C2006.66.478 ).