Thirty-Two Manifestations of Avalokitesvara

KOREA; Joseon dynasty

According to the inscription, this painting was commissioned by Queen Inseong and dedicated to the deceased King Injong (reigned 1545) in 1550 of the Joseon dynasty. It was originally kept in the Golden Shrine of Dongapsa Temple. The artist, Yi Chasil, based the scenes on descriptions in the Surangama Sutra and the “Universal Gateway Chapter” of the Lotus Sutra. The painting is thought to be the only extant illustration of the Thirty-Two Manifestations of Avalokitesvara in Korea.
Avalokitesvara sits on a rock in the center of the painting. The Bodhisattva wears a headdress, ornaments, and a patterned garment. A large green nimbus surrounds the head. Below, within a mountainous landscape, the manifestations of Avalokitesvara are portrayed in finely detailed scenes accompanied by golden inscriptions. Eleven Buddhas wearing red robes sit in the upper register. The mountains are painted in washes of dark color. Detailed trees rise from the peaks. The scene is representative of the landscape paintings of the early Joseon dynasty.