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18th-century Buddhist painting returned to home soil
As a lover of Korean art and an avid collector, American Robert Mattielli often visited Mary’s Alley, known for its hole-in-the-wall antique shops, in Insa-dong, Seoul during his more than 30 years in Korea.
On one of his regular visits to the neighborhood in the early 1970s, he discovered and purchased a Buddhist painting with notable wear and tear for a mere $10.
“Obuldo,” a 18th-century Korean Buddhist painting (Courtesy of the Portland Art Museum) |
After making its journey to the US with Mattielli and his wife Sandra in 1985, the piece returned home to Korea on Thursday afternoon, according to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
“(The painting was) crumpled up like a bedsheet, partially folded and flaking,” Robert Mattielli, 91, recalled in a recent interview with Artsy, a US based online art resource. “I thought we’d at least be able to save certain portions of it -- the faces or bodies of the Buddhas.”
“Obuldo” arrives in a blue crate at the Central Buddhist Museum in Seoul from Portland, Oregon, Thursday. (Courtesy of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism) |
After being notified about the institute’s research, the couple decided to repatriate the painting to its home country following a three-month exhibition at the Portland Art Museum from September to December, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration.
“‘Obuldo’ might have disappeared forever if (Robert Mattielli) had not bought and framed the severely damaged work,” said the government agency.
Buddhist monks bow before “Obuldo,” on exhibition at the Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 2. (Courtesy of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism) |
Yoon Dong-han, the chairman and CEO of cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturing company Kolmar Korea, purchased the rare 14th century Goryeo Buddhist painting “Water-Moon Avalokitesvara” from a Japanese art dealer in spring for 2.5 billion won ($2.1 million). He donated the piece to the state-run National Museum Korea in October.
Currently being examined for further restoration at the Central Buddhist Museum in Seoul, “Obuldo” is scheduled to be housed and exhibited at the Seongbo Museum at Songgwangsa temple starting early next year.
By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)