Lone Arhat Buddhist Painting of Hwabangsa Temple, Namhae

Compared with other portraits of eminent monks, this work is presumed to date from the early 19th century. The treatment of the landscape background, rendered with circular floral motifs, is distinctive, and the painting shows folk-painting (minhwa) elements, giving it value as material for future research into monk portraits, folk painting and Lone Arhat paintings (dokseongtaeng). This dokseongtaeng depicts Dokseong — also known as Nabanjonja — who sits alone in meditation on Mount Cheontae, awaiting the future appearance of Maitreya Buddha in this world. Since the inscription omits the usual list of donors and sponsors, the painting is presumed to have been made at the same time as a painting of Kshitigarbha and the Ten Kings of Hell, and appears to date from 1855 (the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign). Although slightly damaged, it is in relatively good condition and is kept and managed in storage.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namhae, Gyeongnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료