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Yeongsanhoesangdo refers to the painting depicting the scene that Buddha
preaches on Mt. Youngchuksan. Several painters including Uigyeom, a renowned
monk artist, painted this Yeonsanhoesangdo placed in Haeinsa Temple on the silk
in 1729 or the 5th year of King Yeongjo in the Joseon Kingdom. It is 3.34m long
and 2.4m wide.
Buddha, the main figure of the painting, is sitting at center of the screen
and pointing his fingers into the earth making the hand shape of Hangmachokjiin
that means defeating the devils. His body is much more bigger than other figures
on the painting. He has very robust and wide shoulders. His sturdy body overwhelms
the spectators. However, his round face and light smile give an impression of
warmness and generosity. Many other figures are filling the whole screen centering
on Buddha. Their features are so similar to each other that they look very standardized.
The white and gold colors are painted on the light red and green screen,
making the paining look light and warm. The colors and patterns on the robes
and on the pedestal are very elaborated and accurate. Many other figures around
Buddha are placed so skillfully that they hardly make the painting look stuffy.
The painting's brisk composition, elegant colors and patterns, and elaborated
brush touches show the artistic excellency. Because the phrases on the painting
tell us the exact painted date, it is a very important painting for the research
on the Buddhist paintings of the late Joseon Kingdom.
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