Five Hundred Arhats

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

This is a set of 200 paintings, all with inscriptions that give the Korean names of the Arhats and state that the images were commissioned by Queen Munjeong with local officials and nobles of the court. The paintings of the 15th Arhat Adaeda, the 125th Arhat Jinbojan, the 170th Arhat Hyegungo, the 357th Arhat Euitong, and the 427th Arhat Wonman are kept at the National Museum of Korea. The Museum of Japanese Art Yamato Bunkakan keeps the painting of the 234th Arhat Sangeumsu. The painting of the 153rd Arhat Deoksewi is kept at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California.
Each Arhat wears a monastic robe and sits facing slightly to the side. Their hands form mudras or hold objects. Most Goryeo dynasty artists painted in rich colors, so these plain images are something of a rarity.