Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Geumosan Mountain, Gumi

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.490

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1968

Location

구미시, 경상북도— 경상북도 구미시 남통동 산 33

Coordinates

36.096639, 128.301718

This 5.5-meter high standing Buddha was made during the Goryeo Dynasty by carving the face of the rock of a cliff. It has a peculiar structure, since it was carved on two sides of the rock centered around a corner. The face is relatively smooth and it has volume, but the narrow eyes and small mouth are different from other rock-carved standing Buddhas made during the Silla period. The gentle curves of the shoulders and arms match the face, which indicates that this work was done by a very skilled carver. However, the right hand holding the hem of the clothing, the oversized left hand, the heavy-looking feet, and the rigid-looking 'U' shaped folds in the clothing are depicted in a less vivid way than in other works of the Silla period and are more similar to Goryeo sculptures. Such characteristics are also apparent in the lotus flower pedestal shaped in a half circle on which the Buddha is standing, and the mandorla (Buddhist halo of light), which gives shape to the light emanating from the body of the Buddha. Based on the formal mode of expression on its face, the body, the folds in its clothing, and the mandorla of the statue, it is assumed that this rock-carved Buddha was made during the Goryeo rather than the Silla Dynasty.

Location