Title: Willow-and-Moon Kannon (Yoryu Kannon, or Avalokiteśvara), Circa 1750-1850. An Impressive Silk Painting of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Beautifully Highlighted with Gold Ink
Condition: Very Good
A Mid to Late Edo Period, mid 18th to mid 19th century silk painting of the Willow-and-Moon Kannon, also known as the Yoryu Kannon, or Avalokiteśvara.
This painting has been beautifully produced using various shades of ink and detailing, with the craggy rocks and waves produced with numerous layers of shading, and the vestments of the Kannon all brightly lit up and highlighted with gold ink.
The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center has an extremely similar painting, also dated to the 18th-19th century (Object 2014.20.1).
One of the 33 different manifestations of Avalokiteśvara. Yoryu Kannon is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, its mission to save people from illness. It is called Yoryu Kannon because it holds a willow branch in its right hand. The Kannon is depicted in various cultures, and during the Goryeo Period of Korea has been depicted in paintings such as the Water-Moon Avalokiteśvara.
The painting has been neatly mounted onto a brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scroll), with jikusaki (knobs) made of brass.
One silk painting mounted on a kakejiku (hanging scroll), 183 x 59 cm full size, 112 x 44 cm main painting
This painting is in very good shape, with very little wear or staining to the painting.