Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva with Assembly
late 16th/early 17th century
Medium
Ink and color on hemp cloth
Dimensions
155.6 × 230.5 cm (90 3/4 × 61 1/4 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
78290
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This painting of Kshitigarbha (Jijang Bosal in Korean,) flanked by the Ten Kings of Hell and guardian deities, reflects the prevalence of faith in Kshitigarbha in Korean Buddhism. Kshitigarbha is the overlord of the Buddhist underworld who has the ability to save sentient beings from hell. Whereas Buddhism enjoyed the royal patronage during the Goryeo period, it became the religion of the masses in the late Joseon period, resulting in stylistic changes in Buddhist painting. Instead of expensive ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...