Goryeo Cheonsugwaneumbosaldo

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2015

Category

Painting

Era

고려14세기

Designated year

2019

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.523500, 126.980100Museum-based location

A painting of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with a Thousand Hands of Goryeo symbolizes Avalokitesvara’s power of benevolence saving the masses as one with a thousand hands with each hand having an eye. As stated in the Lotus Sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra, Avalokitesvara is portrayed as one with eleven faces, 40-42 large hands holding things indicating his power and benevolence, and small hands with an eye for each placed between large the hands. The one in the subject has discolored after the elapse of many years. Avalokitesvara looks straight ahead, sitting on the lotus pedestal place on a rock. The round halo behind the head of Avalokitesvara fills the entire space of the upper part of the painting. Down below, Sudhana kumâra looks at Avalokitesvara with the two hands politely folded together. Each element is portrayed accurately in gorgeous colors and exquisite brush strokes, displaying superb esthetic quality. Not only is it the only known one of the paintings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with a Thousand Hands, but it reflects typical features of Buddhist paintings of Goryeo including harmony between diverse colors and gold painting and classy/refined style of expression. It is a valuable work of art from a religious/artistic perspective.

Location