Third King of the Underworld (Songjae)

Currently not on view

Third King of the Underworld (Songjae)

18th century

Artist/maker unknown, Korean

Songjae, the third of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, sits in judgment of the deceased on the twenty-first day after death, writing his decision onto the scroll held by his assistant. Below are scenes of some of the punishments that have been meted out. The names of the donors and priests of the temple for which this work was made appear in the rectangular cartouche at the bottom. Such paintings on silk were usually displayed in Korean temple complexes in the building known as Myeongbu-jeon (Hall of the Underworld Court).

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Third King of the Underworld (Songjae)

Date:

18th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Korean

Medium:

Ink and color on silk

Dimensions:

60 × 43 1/4 inches (152.4 × 109.9 cm) Mount: 6 feet 3 9/16 inches × 50 1/4 inches (191.9 × 127.6 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Gift of Mrs. W. James Anderson, Mrs. Samuel Bell, Jr., Mrs. Richard Drayton, and Charles T. Ludington, Jr., in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Townsend Ludington, 1970

Accession Number:

1970-259-3

Geography:

Made in Korea, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)

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Currently not on view