A pair of Buddhist paintings held at Heunguksa Temple in Yeosu have been designated a national treasure.
Known as the "Yeosu Heunguksa Jeseokcheon and Cheonnyongdo," the works are Buddhist paintings enshrined in the main hall of the temple during the late Joseon period. Each depicts a separate subject — Jeseokcheon, a heavenly deity, and Cheonnyong, a celestial dragon — on its own canvas.
The paintings are a rare example of a format that predates the mid-to-late 18th century, when the two iconographic subjects were merged into a single composition. Scholars regard them as highly significant to the history of Buddhist painting in the late Joseon period.
Created in 1741 as a commemorative work, the paintings were produced by multiple monk-painters who carried on the artistic tradition of the monk Uigyeom.
"The date of production is clear, and the works are recognized as an important record of how Buddhist painting evolved during the 18th century, giving them considerable academic value," a city official said.
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