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Hanging Painting of Bongseonsa Temple, Namyangju (Vairocana Buddha Triad)

남양주 봉선사 비로자나삼신괘불도 ( 南楊州 奉先寺 毘盧遮那三身掛佛圖 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Hanging Painting of Bongseonsa Temple, Namyangju (Vairocana Buddha Triad)
Quantity 1 painting
Designated Date 2012.12.27
Age The 11th year of the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1735)
Address 32-0, bongseonsa-gil, Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do

This painting of the Vairocana Triad enshrined in Bongseonsa Temple, Namyangju, features three bodies of Buddha: the ‘truth body’ represented by Vairocana in the middle, the body of mutual enjoyment represented by Nosana in the right, and the historical embodiment represented by Sakyamuni on the left. Beneath the three Buddhas are six bodhisattvas, Brahma Deva, Indra, the Ten Disciples, heavenly maids, the Dragon King, and dragon maids. In this scroll, Vairocana and Sakyamuni each display a comparatively simple appearance, whereas Nosana is lavishly decorated complete with bejeweled headwear, exhibiting similarities with the hanging painting of Hangnimsa Temple. The similarities may be better explained by the fact that the Hangnimsa painting was produced during the early 18th century by an artist named Chilhye whose name comes second after that of the court painter Gakchong on the list of artists who participated in the production of the Bongseonsa painting. Records also show that Cheojing, who restored the painting of Hangnimsa Temple in 1774, joined Gakchong to produce the Painting of the Tripitaka Bodhisattvas enshrined in Silleuksa Temple in 1758. This Buddhist painting made in 1735 was commissioned by a court lady named Yi Seong-ae for the peaceful repose of Royal Lady Yeongbin (1669-1735), King Sukjong’s secondary consort. The clear water-based colors of yellow, blue, green and sky blue are skillfully combined with thick and bold brushstrokes to project a sense of dynamism onto the Buddhas’ postures and robe folds, thus displaying a great balance of artistic elements characterizing the superior quality of the Buddhist paintings commissioned by the royal court of Joseon.