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Buddhist Painting of Tongdosa Temple (Amitabha Buddha)

통도사 아미타여래설법도 ( 通度寺 阿彌陀如來說法圖 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Buddhist Painting of Tongdosa Temple (Amitabha Buddha)
Quantity 1
Designated Date 2006.07.18
Age 1740 (the 5th year of Geonnyung)
Address Tongdosa Museum 108, Tongdosa-ro, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do

In the middle of this Buddhist painting of Tongdosa Temple is a representation of the principal Buddhist figure, Amitabha Buddha, sitting in the lotus position on the altar, flanked by eight bodhisattvas including Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta, and the Four Guardian Kings. It is a typical painting of a sermon with ten arhats and the dragon god and dragon queen depicted in the upper part of the picture. The major colors are red, navy blue, and green; and the middle colors appear to have been applied with restraint, making the lines of the painting relatively clear. The principal Buddha is larger than the other figures, with the obvious intent of emphasizing him, and the folds of his robes are large and vividly expressed, forming a pleasant harmony with the figure. It is a wonderful work that exhibits a finely balanced composition and coloring overall. According to a record about the painting, it was painted by an artist named Im Han, a leading painter of Buddhist pictures at Unmunsa, Tongdosa and other temples in Gyeongsang-do. His works include the Vairocana Buddha Triad of Girimsa Temple (1718), the Sakyamuni Sermon (1734) and the Vairocana Buddha Triad of Tongdosa Temple (1759). Overall the brushwork is sensitive and the arrangement of the figures shows originality. The painting also has documentary value as it shows how Im Han, as a chief court painter, formed and led the Im Han School of Buddhist painting.