Water-Moon Avalokitesvara

KOREA; Joseon dynasty

According to the inscription, this painting is the oldest dated Buddhist painting from the Joseon dynasty in extant. Backed by a dark nimbus and a plain mandorla, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sits on a rock surrounded by waves. The Bodhisattva wears an elegant robe, ornaments, and a tall crown decorated with a Buddha image. The right leg rests on the left knee, and the head turns to gaze down at three female figures that stand on a rug in the lower left corner. Sudhana, who has his palms joined and looks upwards at Avalokitesvara, is painted on the lower right. Faintly visible Dharma protectors stand on clouds in the upper left corner. The inscription in the lower right corner states that this artwork was completed with the support of two female patrons. The waves are painted with groups of three lines typical on 15th century Buddhist paintings. The erosion of the edge of the rock that the three female figures stand upon is represented with three curved lines.