Cleveland Museum of Art

Standing Ksitigarbha

Date

1300–1350

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk

Culture

Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)

Department

Korean Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This fourteenth-century hanging scroll depicts Kṣitigarbha (지장보살), the Bodhisattva of Salvation in the guise of a youthful Buddhist monk. Clad in simple monastic robes, he holds a staff to announce his presence and a wish-fulfilling jewel symbolizing his vow to relieve suffering. Kṣitigarbha is believed to descend into the underworld to guide and liberate tormented souls trapped in purgatory. His compassionate mission made him a key figure in both East Asian visual and ritual tradition. Only 10 of the 14th-century paintings of Ksitigarbha are known to exist in the world today. This is one of these rare surviving masterpieces.

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