Bongjeongsa Amitaseolbeopdo, Andong

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1643

Category

Painting

Designated year

2010

Location

안동시, 경상북도— 경북 안동시 서후면 봉정사길 222, 봉정사 (태장리)

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This painting which served as a model for other late Joseon paintings on the theme of Amitabha Buddha in sermon is also of interest for insights if offers into the Buddhist painting style of the early 18th century. The Amitabha Buddha painting was created in 1713 by a group of monk painters including Doik. Amitabha, the main Buddha, is represented here in the company of ten Bodhisattvas, Brahma, Indra, the Ten Disciples, pratyekabuddha, the Four Guardian Kings and the Eight Vajras. The size of the main Buddha is not disproportionately larger than that of the members of his retinue, as is often the case in other Buddhist paintings. Thanks to this, the painting, even though it features a large group of figures, does not feel imbalanced or overly crowded. The faces of the figures appear good-natured and charitable, and their bodies well-proportioned. These characteristics, along with the elegant brushwork and gold-painted ornamental floral motifs, remind of the Painting of the Vulture Peak Assembly and the Painting of Three Bodhisattvas of Sudasa Temple, painted in 1731, by the same painter. This work faithfully reflects the characteristics of early 18th century Buddhist paintings from the Gyeongsangbuk-do area.