Journal of Korean Art & Archaeology 2019, Vol.13 pp.83-101
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Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, South Korea, was sacred to the Silla Kingdom and remains a significant repository of Silla Buddhist art, with numerous relics including 150 temple sites and 129 sculptures. The mountain's granite sculptures, dating from around 600 CE, reveal the evolution of Buddhist art styles over centuries. Key artworks include the Rock-carved Four Directional Buddhas, influenced by grand temple styles, and the dynamic Rock-carved Buddha Triad at Chilburam Hermitage, reflecting unified Silla aesthetics. These artworks combine a variety of influences, showcasing the spiritual and artistic innovations of their times. Namsan's Buddhist sculptures collectively form a great mandala, integrating natural beauty and religious belief to embody the essence of a Buddhist paradise. Over the periods, new styles emerged, blending Indian and Chinese influences with distinctly Korean interpretations. By the late Unified Silla period, sculptures showed signs of decline, with simplified, exaggerated forms. Nonetheless, Namsan's stone Buddhist sculptures continue to be recognized for their harmonious integration with nature and their reflection of historical shifts in religious art.
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Other articles from this issue
- Towards an Understanding of the Ancient City of Gyeongju
- Gyeongju, a City of History
- The Royal Capital of Silla
- The Ancient Tombs in Gyeongju
- Silla Metalwork: Discoveries from Gyeongju
- Reexamination of the Inscriptions on the Maitreya and Amitabha Statues from Gamsansa Temple through Reflectance Transformation Imaging