Seonunsa Temple Great Hero Hall: Amitabha Buddha Assembly

SOUTH KOREA, North Jeolla, Gochang; Joseon dynasty

This is one of three murals behind the three Buddha statues in the Great Hero Hall of Seonunsa Temple. The painting style suggests that they were made by a group of artists led by Ik-chan. The other two artworks depict Vairocana Buddha and Medicine Buddha.
In this mural, Amitabha Buddha sits on a lotus throne surrounded by four of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, two disciples, and deities. Amitabha has a dark nimbus and an aureole bordered by colored lines. The Buddha’s hair has larger curls than is usually seen in such paintings. The thumb and middle finger touch to form a mudra. Two lotuses stem from both sides of the lotus throne, supporting Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva wears a tall crown with a Buddha image in the center and holds a vase; Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva holds a lotus. The other Bodhisattvas join their palms in reverence. Ananda, Mahakasyapa, and two deities are painted in the upper register.
In addition to the primarily red and green coloring, a large amount of white is used. This differs from most other Korean Buddhist paintings of the 18th century, in which warmer tones of red were prominent.