Assembly of Buddhist Deities

1846

Assembly of Buddhist Deities, 1846. Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Handscroll; ink and color on silk; overall: 78 x 216 cm (30 11/16 x 85 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Director's Contingent Fund 1918.541 The central deity in this Buddhist painting is Sākyamuni Buddha, given that he is displaying the earth-touching hand gesture. He is surrounded by several bodhisattvas and disciples. The inscription below, even though partly erased, tells us that the painting was created in 1846 and was hung in the monks’ residential hall. The inscription below, even though partly erased, tells us that the painting was hung in the monks’ residential hall.