Water-Moon Avalokitesvara

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

The inscription on the left side of this picture of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva states that it was painted in 1323 during the Goryeo dynasty. Avalokitesvara, wearing a crown decorated with a Buddha image, an ornate robe, earrings, a necklace, and bracelets, sits upon a rock above the water. The right leg rests on the left knee and the left foot is placed on a lotus. On the left side of the picture, there is a vase containing a willow branch placed inside a bowl sitting on the rocks beside the Bodhisattva. In the lower left corner, Sudhana kneels and joins his palms in reverence.
The patterns on the robe and the ornaments are painted with intricate lines and colored in gold, red, and white. The transparent stole draped over the head and arms of the Bodhisattva is expertly depicted. Gold highlights are used to give the green rocks depth and texture.