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Buddhist Painting of Seonamsa Temple, Suncheon (The King of Sweet Dew)

순천 선암사 서부도암 감로왕도 ( 順天 仙巖寺 西浮屠庵 甘露王圖 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Buddhist Painting of Seonamsa Temple, Suncheon (The King of Sweet Dew)
Quantity 1
Designated Date 2008.03.12
Age 1736
Address Seonamsa Museum 450, Seonamsa-gil, Seungju-eup, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do

This Painting of the King of Sweet Dew, credited to a team of monk painters led by Uigyeom, features seven Tathagatas, Avalokitesvara, Ksitigarbha and the Bodhisattva Guide of Souls in the upper section; an altar and two hungry ghosts in the middle section; and sentient beings in six different conditions of existence at the bottom section. In view of the relative weight given to the seven Thus Come Ones in the upper section, it is believed the painting was designed to emphasize the role of the King of Sweet Dew in guiding dead souls to heaven through redemptive rituals for all souls on land and in water. The inscription notes this is ‘a picture for the lower tier of the western stupa hall’, indicating its intended original place of enshrinement. The confident brushwork, calm red and green tones applied on a yellow base, and the peaceful but energetic scene of sentient beings successfully demonstrate the ability of the head painter, Uigyeom.