Tibet has produced some of the most distinctive and creative art in the world, with many striking qualities which set it apart from other Buddhist and Asian art. From a bleak and often inaccessible landscape arose an artistic world so vibrant and sophisticated that it drew commissions even from the emperors of China. With the spread of Buddhism in the West, inspired by the leadership of the exiled Dalai Lama, and the controversy over Tibet's status, interest in this mysterious land has never been greater. In this book, Robert Fisher focuses on the inextricably intertwined relationship between the art and the spiritual life of the region, which is reflected by a dazzling pantheon unexcelled in its variety and complexity. From the Potala in Lhasa - one of the world's greatest religious complexes - to painting, sculpture, manuscripts, silk embroidery and its highly developed tradition of portraiture and ritual objects, Tibet's unique artistic culture is vividly presented in this compelling study.