Medicine Buddha Assembly
Color on linen
Medicine Buddha Assembly
KOREA; Joseon dynasty
The inscription at the bottom of this painting states that it was commissioned by Queen Munjeong and dedicated to her son, King Myeonjong (reigned 1546–1567). A strong supporter of Buddhism, Queen Munjeong ordered the creation of numerous paintings as prayers for the well-being of her family. This picture is painted on linen rather than canvas, indicating that it was not made by a court artist.
Medicine Buddha sits in full lotus position on a high throne. Wearing a headdress decorated with hanging ornaments, the Buddha holds a medicine bowl. The red nimbus and aureole are in the shape of lotus petals. Below the throne, two attendants join their palms. Two more attendants kneel on the ground, holding a red sun disc and a white moon disc. Officials wearing hats and wide-sleeved robes stand beside the Buddha. The symmetrical layout and red color tone are characteristic of late 16th century Joseon Buddhist paintings.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting I-O, page 527.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting I-O},
pages = 527,
title = {{Medicine Buddha Assembly}},
volume = 15,
year = {2016}}