Photo: National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea

Mountain Spirit and Tiger

ca. 1850

The Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) is one of the most important indigenous deities in Korea. He is considered a protector of Buddhist temples, many of which are located near mountains. This painting follows the traditional folk representation of the Mountain Spirit: a long-bearded man sitting against a landscape framed by pine trees and accompanied by a tiger, which was considered a sacred animal of the mountains. Donors’ names are listed on the bottom left.

Ink and color on hemp cloth mounted on Masonite

34 5/8 × 26 in. (88 × 66 cm)

Gift of Joel Heidel and Adam Heidel

96.19

Photo: National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view July 28, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023].

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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