Who painted Deoksewi, 153rd of the 500 Nahans (Arhats)?

Deoksewi, 153rd of the 500 Nahans (Arhats) was painted by Unknown in 1562.

Where can I see Deoksewi, 153rd of the 500 Nahans (Arhats)?

Deoksewi, 153rd of the 500 Nahans (Arhats) is held by Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Artwork

Deoksewi, 153rd of the 500 Nahans (Arhats)

Deoksewi, 153rd of the 500 Nahans (Arhats) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1562 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Deoksewi, catalogued as the 153rd figure among the five‑hundred Nahans, depicts a solitary monk seated in a cross‑legged posture.

About this work

Overview

Deoksewi, catalogued as the 153rd figure among the five‑hundred Nahans, depicts a solitary monk seated in a cross‑legged posture. He holds a scroll in his right hand, his gaze directed inward, conveying a mood of quiet contemplation. The figure is rendered against a muted brown backdrop that hints at a distant landscape through faint linear marks.

Subject & Meaning

The monk, identifiable by his shaved head and long robe patterned in red and gold, embodies the archetype of the meditative arhat. His serene expression and the act of reading the scroll suggest a focus on scriptural study or inner reflection, aligning with the devotional purpose of the Nahans series.

Technique & Style

Executed in a restrained palette, the painting employs delicate brushwork to delineate the monk’s robes and facial features. The background’s subdued tones and minimalistic landscape cues are achieved through faint, gestural lines, emphasizing the figure’s spiritual isolation rather than external detail.

Context

Part of a larger collection of five hundred arhat portraits, this work reflects the Korean Buddhist tradition of venerating enlightened disciples. The series served both as a visual aid for devotional practice and as a means to convey doctrinal ideals of detachment and contemplation within monastic settings.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Museum

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Continue through works from the same source collection.