Title: Water Moon Avalokiteśvara, or Suwol Gwaneum, Circa 1900. Late Joseon Period Painting Copied after the Goryeo Dynasty Examples, With a Variety of Colors
Condition: Very Good
A Late Joseon Period, early 20th century painting of the Water Moon Avalokiteśvara, also known as Suwol Gwaneum in Korea, or Yoryu Kannon in Japan, or universally, Avalokiteśvara.
This painting is a simpler copy after the early Goryeo depictions of the Avalokiteśvara, with a variety of colors, but lacking the beautiful gold leaf work and heavier detail found in those early examples.
One of the 33 different manifestations of Avalokiteśvara, it is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, its mission to save people from illness. It is called Yoryu Kannon because it holds a willow branch in a vase, next to it. The Kannon is depicted in various cultures, and during the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea has been depicted in paintings such as the Water-Moon Avalokiteśvara, like with this example.
One painting on paper, 163.5 x 81 cm full size
This painting is in very good shape, with some wear and creasing to the rear of the painting.