The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of August 12, 2026

A horizontally oriented ink and color painting on silk depicts nine figures amidst swirling clouds. Centrally, a golden-skinned figure with a rounded head protrusion and chest emblem sits cross-legged in red robes. To the left and right, four seated figures in ornate headpieces hold flowers, framed by circular halos. Behind them, four figures with shaved heads stand before green halos. Muted red and green tones dominate. Damage appears at upper right.

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.)
Director's Contingent Fund 1918.541
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The inscription below, even though partly erased, tells us that the painting was hung in the monks’ residential hall.

Description

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.
  • ?–1918
    Purchased by Langdon Warner [1881–1955], as agent of the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1918–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Cunningham, Michael R. "The Korean Art Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art: The Early Years," Korean Culture [= Hanʼguk munhwa] 17, no. 2 (Summer 1986). p. 27
    Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392-1910. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2014.
    Yi, Yong-yoon. “Bokjang Dedicated to Buddhist Paintings of the Late Joseon Period [조선후기 佛畵의 腹藏 연구].” Misulsahak yeongu (2016): 121–154. www.dbpia.co.kr
    Ch'a, Mi-rae, Kwi-suk An, Cleveland Museum of Art, and 국외소재문화재재단. The Korean Collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Edited by An Min-hŭi. First edition, English ed. Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Series, 16. Seoul, Republic of Korea: Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, 2021. Mentioned and Reproduced: p. 162, no. 105
  • {{cite web|title=Assembly of Buddhist Deities|url=false|author=|year=1846|access-date=12 August 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1918.541