oil painting named Thangka dancers by Marloes Otten, 2024. This painting with colorful figures was used for Ottimare's scraves. De colours of the painting are primarily sienna and blue

Thangka Dancers: Art and Fashion Fused in Exclusive Scarves

Art and fashion meet in a special collection of scarves, inspired by the painting Thangka Dancers by Marloes Otten. This oil on canvas painting (80 cm x 100 cm, approximately 31 x 39 inches) is based on the traditional 15th century Thangka wall hangings. These unique scarves bring the rich colors and expressive movements of the artwork to life, allowing you to not only wear a stylish accessory, but also a piece of art history.

Painting Thangka dancers, oil on canvas, 80cm x100 cm, Marloes Otten. www.marloesotten.nl

Painting Thangka dancers, oil on canvas, 80cm x100 cm, Marloes Otten

The Magic of Thangka Dancers

The painting Thangka Dancers is a celebration of tradition, energy, and expression. Thangkas are traditional Tibetan tapestries, often religious in nature, and are known for their detailed and vibrant representations. They were used in the past as portable works of art that could easily be taken to ceremonies, such as weddings. Unlike murals, which remained fixed in one place, Thangkas offered a flexible alternative. These canvases were painted or embroidered by hand and were richly decorated with figures depicting spiritual stories. The most beautiful Thangkas' are made of silk and were praised for their beauty and technical perfection as early as the Middle Ages. It is not for nothing that they belonged to the imperial gifts.

Detail of an ancient 15th century Thangka silk embroidered wall hanging. An inspiration for the painting on which some Ottimare scarves are based

Detail of an ancient 15th century Thangka silk embroidered wall hanging

A stylish statement

The scarves inspired by Thangka Dancers are not just a fashion item, but an artistic translation of movement and emotion. By mirroring the painting in all directions, the empty spaces were given a new dimension. This transformation led to beautiful patterns, giving the scarves a sophisticated and unique look. The colors and motifs have been carefully chosen to preserve the essence of the original painting, while also remaining wearable and elegant in everyday life. For even more elegance Ottimare also had the design printed for a new collection of matching hand fans.

Inspiration from the Thangka Wall Hangings

For other scarves and hand fans, too, Ottimare was inspired by the dancing figures on the traditional Thangka rugs. For various narrow scarves and twillies, she created illustrations that capture these graceful movements. In this way, she translated the Thangka art into a modern, wearable form.

illustration for Ottimare scarve with one of the Thangka dancers in a modern styleCravatte sjaal van Ottimare met Thangka dansers in bordeaux. De achterzijde is ivoor wit. In de details zijn verschillende kleuren groen en blauw verwerkt. Handgemaakt in Nederland.

Not to be confused with...

Just to be clear: Thangka Dancers are something very different from tanga dancers! Where the former have a profound artistic and spiritual background, the latter evokes very different associations. 😉

Exclusive accessories

These special scarves are an exclusive edition and only available in limited edition. Do you want to carry a piece of art around your shoulders? Then discover the collection and be inspired by the enchanting world of Thangka Dancers.

painting thangka

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