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Water-Moon Avalokitesvara
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Water-Moon Avalokitesvara
KOREA; Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), dated 1310; Ink and color on silk; 419.5 x 254.2 cm; Kagami Temple, Karatsu, Saga, Japan
Records state that this artwork dates from 1310 of the Goryeo dynasty, making it the oldest and largest Korean painting of Avalokitesvara. Now kept in Japan, it was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1971.
Water-Moon Avalokitesvara is turned slightly to one side, sitting with the left leg resting on the right knee. The Bodhisattva wears a transparent white garment, a red dhoti with a patterned hem, an ornate necklace, and a headdress with a Buddha image in the center. Gold foil is used to give the skin a radiant glow. Part of the thin gold line of a mandorla is visible on the right, and part of a nimbus can be seen on the left beside the Bodhisattva's head. Sudhana stands in the lower right corner, joining his palms and gazing up earnestly at Avalokitesvara. The delicate patterns on the clothing and the balanced colors are representative features of the elegant style of 14th century Korean Buddhist paintings. |
