COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
CMA_.1986.8
AMICA Library Year:
1998
Object Type:
Paintings
Creator Nationality:
Asian; Far East Asian; Korean
Creator Dates/Places:
Korea
Creator Name-CRT:
Korea, Koryo Period
Title:
Avalokiteshvara (Kuanum Bosal)
Title Type:
Primary
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
14th Century
Creation Start Date:
1300
Creation End Date:
1399
Materials and Techniques:
hanging scroll: ink and color on silk with inscriptions in gold ink on silk
Dimensions:
Overall: 155cm x 51.4cm
AMICA Contributor:
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Owner Location:
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ID Number:
1986.8
Credit Line:
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Context:
During the Koryo dynasty, Buddhism flourished as it had never before in Korea. Introduced into the culture during the Unified Silla period from China, a distinctly Korean Buddhist faith that had virtual state support was thriving by the tenth century. Throughout the country hundreds, if not thousands, of temples served as the focal point for Buddhist rituals and culture. Central to worship were painted images of the Buddhist deities, among whom Amitabha (Amit'a in Korean) and that deity's two attendantsAvalokiteshvara (Kuanum Bosal in Korean) and Mahasthamprapta (Taeseji Bosal in Korean) are preeminent. This triad is closely linked to sutras (sacred religious texts) explaining the virtues of salvation in the Pure Land, or the Western Paradise, the homeof Amit'a. Visual representations of the Amit'a triad fostered the acceptance and understanding of this concept and were produced in considerable numbers as Pure Land sect Buddhism became even more popular. Gradually Kuanum gained attention in its own right as a potent deity, recognizable by the small seated buddha image in the crown. In this painting Kuanum Bosal stands frontally on two lotus bases, left hand holding the wrist of the right hand, which clasps a string of prayer beads. A diaphanous white overgarment does not hide the elaborate robe and sumptuous jewelry beneath. Additionally, a halo behind the icon frames the quiet, introspective face. Above, attached to the silk painting, is an excerpt from a sutra written in gold ink on brown paper, providing a concrete example of how the written word and visual image propel one another in the Buddhist arts of Korea. M.R.C.
Related Image Identifier Link:
CMA_.1986.8.tif
