Muwisa Geukrakjeon Baeguigwaneumdo

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1314

Category

Painting

Era

조선시대(15세기)

Designated year

2001

Location

강진군, 전라남도— 전남 강진군 성전면 월하리 1194번지

Coordinates

34.736769, 126.680327

Made on the back of a mural painting of Amitabha Buddha (Treasure No. 1313) placed behind the Buddha statue in the Geungnakjeon Hall, the piece portrays Avalokitesvara in a white robe standing on a lotus leaf floating on waves. Avalokitesvara shows an imposing figure, his robe fluttering in the wind and the wrists crossing each other in the front. His right hand holds a willow twig, and the left hand, a kundika bottle. The piece features simplified robe wrinkles. Overall, the piece gives a strong impression with the portrayal of the robe fluttering in the wind and roaring waves done in strong, rapid brush strokes. Behind Avalokitesvara is a sun-like red circle. Written on the extreme left of the canvas are pentasyllabic regulated verses. On a small mound portrayed at the front corner sits a monk showing a gesture of clapping hands or something. One interesting object is a bird sitting on a shoulder of the monk, turning its head in the direction of Avalokitesvara. The bird is portrayed more exquisitely than Avalokitesvara. The painting, presumed to have been made in 1476 (the 7th year of King Seongjong’s reign), along with the mural painting made on the front side, is an important material for those studying the Buddhist paintings dating back to the early Joseon Period and which follow the style of those made during the Goryeo Period.

Location