Musicians in the Ten Judgements of Hell

This detail from a Korean Buddhist painting features a small ensemble of musicians. In the foreground, one figure in a green robe strikes a drum with a mallet while another in a red robe plays a second drum. Behind them, three figures wear red, blue, and pink robes respectively; two are blowing into thin, dark-colored wind instruments. The figures have stylized, round faces and are wearing dark, rounded caps adorned with subtle tufted ornaments. The painting uses a muted color palette of earth tones, deep reds, and soft blues, with visible signs of aging and vertical creasing in the material.

This painting belongs to the 'Ten Judgements of Hell' (Sijewang) genre in Korean Buddhism, which depicts the bureaucratic underworld where souls are judged by ten kings. Music is often included in these scenes as part of the ritual atmosphere or the courtly environment of the underworld palaces.