Kathmandu Valley Thangka Painting

Pigment on cotton 100cm x 75cm

This traditional Thangka painting of the Kathmandu Valley was commissioned by Australia’s First Ambassador to Nepal.

Commissioned around 1986/87 by HE Di Johnstone, Australia’s first resident Ambassador to Nepal, this captivating painting offers a vivid and deeply personal tribute to the Kathmandu Valley. Measuring 1 metre wide by 75 cm high (framed), it was created by a respected local thangka artist known for his finely detailed commissioned works.

This one-of-a-kind piece features iconic landmarks including the Royal Palace, the Foreign Ministry, and key religious sites—all painted from memory and life. In a unique personal touch, the artist also included the then-Australian Ambassador’s Residence, a striking pink villa nestled among temples and bustling local life.

Rich with colour and cultural detail, the painting depicts everyday moments of the Valley—monks, kite-flying children, farmers in the fields, yaks in the mountains, and dramatic Himalayan skies. Commissioned as a heartfelt memento of Di Johnstone’s time in Nepal, it’s now been generously donated to support the Australian Himalayan Foundation’s work.

A vivid piece of diplomatic and artistic history—rare, meaningful, and full of life.

Kindly donated by Di Johnstone.