A rare collection of 18th-century Buddhist paintings at a South Korean temple has been granted national Treasure status, recognising its artistic importance and shedding new light on religious traditions from the late Joseon period.
The newly designated Treasure is the Painting of the Assembly of 53 Buddhas at Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province. The collection consists of seven paintings created in 1725 for the temple’s Buljojeon Hall, along with a set of consecration relics that have survived for three centuries.
Officials say the artwork offers an exceptional window into how Buddhist paintings were produced during the Joseon era. The paintings were created by Uigyeom, one of the most respected monk-painters of his time, working alongside 26 disciples. Each panel was designed to fit a specific part of the temple’s architecture, making the ensemble particularly valuable to historians and art specialists.
The collection illustrates the Buddhist belief that worshipping and reciting the names of 53 Buddhas can bring spiritual merit and absolution from even serious sins. Its unusual arrangement places a central panel depicting Seven Buddhas at the heart of the composition, flanked by paintings representing additional groups of Buddhas.
Researchers have welcomed the designation because the surviving consecration relics include detailed records identifying the artists involved, the date of creation and the circumstances surrounding the commission. Such documentation is rare and provides important evidence about artistic workshops and religious patronage in 18th-century Korea.
The paintings are also regarded as a prime example of the artistic style associated with Uigyeom’s workshop. Their balanced compositions, refined brushwork and dignified facial expressions have long been praised by scholars of Korean Buddhist art.
The designation carries an additional layer of significance because part of the collection was once lost overseas. Two panels depicting the Five Buddhas disappeared during renovation work in the early 1970s and later surfaced at the Portland Art Museum in the United States. After years of efforts to recover them, the paintings were returned to Korea in 2016.
Local officials say the recognition reinforces the importance of Mount Jogye as a major centre of Buddhist devotion during the late Joseon period. Together with a similar set of paintings at nearby Seonamsa Temple, the newly designated Treasure highlights the region’s historic role in the development of the faith.
For South Korea, the designation is not only a celebration of artistic excellence but also a reminder of the enduring value of preserving cultural heritage and bringing lost treasures home.
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