Life of the Buddha
Color on linen
Life of the Buddha
KOREA; Joseon dynasty
This 16th century artwork is the largest surviving example on linen, which became popular during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). It is covered with detailed illustrations of four events, identified by inscriptions within red cartouches on the right. From top to bottom, they are: Ascetic Sakyamuni, Defeat of Mara and Enlightenment, First Turning of the Dharma Wheel at Sarnath, and Parinirvana between the sala trees. The inscription at the bottom credits Yeong-un and other artists for the work, which was dedicated to the longevity of the king and his royal family. In 1621, it was donated to Kongobuji Temple in Japan by the Korean monk, Wonbang. The intricate, skillfully painted picture is a fine example of Joseon dynasty narrative art.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting I-O, page 477.
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 = 477,
title = {{Life of the Buddha}},
volume = 15,
year = {2016}}