Geumtapsa Hanging Buddhist Painting (Gwaebultaeng)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1344

Category

Painting

Era

조선 정조 2년(1778)

Designated year

2002

Location

고흥군, 전라남도— 전남 고흥군 포두면 금탑로 842 (봉림리)

Coordinates

34.556668, 127.299016

This is a unique piece among its kind, with the Buddhas of Three Periods flanked by major attendant bodhisattvas in a simplified composition portrayed in a horizontally long canvas. It measures 531㎝ (L) by 647.6㎝ (W). The Buddhas of Three Periods occupy most of the canvas, with the attendants placed in spaces below and above the three Buddhas. The main Buddha at the center shows small facial features in a round face, usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom), and bead on topknot. He has square shoulders and silk fabric ornaments at the ankles. The casket used to store the hanging painting was made in 1697 or about 100 years earlier than the painting, which was completed in 1778 (the 2nd year of King Jeongjo’s reign) by monk painters Bihyeon and Kwaeyun. We can get a glimpse of the features of the paintings made in the late 18th Century through the small facial features, large-sized usnisa and bead on the topknot, square shoulders, and silk fabric ornaments at the ankles.

Location