National Heritage Administration Publishes First Report on Thorough Investigation of Postpaid Buddhist Paintings

Four Cases and Six Works Featured
Hyeondeungsa Piece Elevated to National Treasure

'Postpaid Also Under Thorough Investigation' Report.

The National Heritage Administration announced on May 13 that it has published the first report on the "Postpaid Thorough Investigation Project," which it is pursuing in collaboration with the Seongbo Institute of Cultural Heritage. A "Postpaid" refers to a large Buddhist painting, approximately 5 meters in length, which is hung behind the Buddha statue in a temple's sanctuary. Due to its large size and sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity, it is challenging to preserve and manage.

Since last year, the National Heritage Administration has been conducting a five-year survey of major Postpaid paintings across the country. The report contains the results from last year's investigations, which include six works in four cases: "Hungguksa Daeungjeon Postpaid Buddhist Painting," "Bulyongsa Yeongsanhoesangdo," "Andong Bonghwangsa Samsebulhwa," and "Hyeondeungsa Amitabha Assembly Painting." The contents include records of size, weight, and condition, scientific analysis information necessary for repair and restoration, data on coloring and pigments, damage maps, and digital drafts. An appendix analyzing traditional Buddhist painting patterns has also been published alongside the main report.

Among the surveyed works, the Hyeondeungsa Amitabha Assembly Painting is a piece that showcases the painting style of 18th-century Buddhist art in the Gyeonggi region. Through the investigation, its value as a cultural heritage item was recognized, and it was elevated from a Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Heritage to a Nationally Designated Cultural Heritage Treasure.

This year, five works from five cases will be investigated: "Dalseong Yongyeonsa Yeongsanhoesangdo," "Dalseong Yugasa Yeongsanhoesangdo," "Yeongdeok Jangnyuksa Yeongsanhoesangdo," "Cheongdo Unmunsa Vairocana Samshinbulhoe-do," and "Eunhaesa Geungnakbojeon Postpaid Buddhist Painting."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.