🎎Arts of East Asia Unit 12 – Korean Art – Joseon Dynasty

Historical Context and Timeline

• Joseon Dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910, following the collapse of the Goryeo Dynasty
• Founded by General Yi Seong-gye, who became King Taejo, the first ruler of the Joseon Dynasty
• Confucianism became the dominant ideology, replacing Buddhism as the state religion
• Joseon period marked by political stability, economic growth, and cultural achievements
  • Golden age of art, literature, and science during the reign of King Sejong the Great (1418-1450)
• Japanese invasions (1592-1598) and Manchu invasions (1627, 1636) caused significant damage and disruption
• Increasing foreign influence and internal struggles in the late Joseon period
• Annexed by Japan in 1910, ending the Joseon Dynasty after more than 500 years

Key Characteristics of Joseon Art

• Emphasis on simplicity, elegance, and naturalism in contrast to the more ornate styles of the previous Goryeo period
• Confucian values of humility, restraint, and harmony with nature reflected in art
• Monochromatic works favored, particularly in painting and ceramics
• Attention to detail and precise brushwork in painting
  • Use of calligraphy and poetry to complement visual elements
• Ceramics characterized by understated designs and subtle glazes (celadon, white porcelain)
• Architecture focused on functionality, with clean lines and minimal ornamentation
• Rise of genre painting depicting everyday life and landscapes

Influential Philosophical and Religious Ideas

• Neo-Confucianism, a reformed version of Confucianism, became the dominant ideology
  • Emphasized moral cultivation, social harmony, and loyalty to the state
• Confucian values of filial piety, respect for elders, and adherence to social hierarchies
• Buddhism, while no longer the state religion, continued to influence art and culture
  • Buddhist themes and iconography persisted in painting and sculpture
• Daoism and its emphasis on harmony with nature and simplicity
• Shamanism, Korea's indigenous religion, incorporated into folk art and rituals
• Sirhak (practical learning) movement in the late Joseon period promoted scientific inquiry and realism in art

Major Art Forms and Techniques

• Painting: ink and wash on paper or silk, folding screens, scrolls, and albums
  • Landscapes, portraits, genre scenes, and still lifes
  • Use of perspective, shading, and gradation to create depth and volume
• Calligraphy: considered the highest form of art, often combined with painting
  • Various styles and scripts (regular, running, cursive)
• Ceramics: celadon, white porcelain, buncheong ware, and later underglaze iron-brown
  • Inlaid designs, incised patterns, and subtle glazes
• Metalwork: bronze, silver, and gold used for ritual vessels, jewelry, and decorative objects
  • Techniques include casting, chasing, and inlay
• Lacquerware: boxes, trays, and furniture decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay and painted designs
• Embroidery and textiles: silk and ramie used for clothing, screens, and decorative hangings

Notable Artists and Their Works

• An Gyeon (15th century): considered the greatest landscape painter of the early Joseon period
  • "Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land," a masterpiece of Korean painting
• Kim Hong-do (1745-1806): renowned for his genre paintings depicting everyday life and people
  • "Ssireum," a painting of traditional Korean wrestling
• Jeong Seon (1676-1759): pioneered the "true-view" landscape style, emphasizing realism and direct observation
  • "Geumgang jeondo," a series of paintings depicting the Diamond Mountains
• Yi Hwang (1501-1570): Confucian scholar and calligrapher, known for his elegant and expressive brushwork
• Shin Saimdang (1504-1551): female artist, calligrapher, and poet, known for her paintings of flowers and insects
  • "Insects and Plants," a album of detailed and naturalistic paintings

Patronage and Social Role of Art

• Royal court as the primary patron of the arts, commissioning works for palaces and official events
  • Bureau of Painting (Dohwaseo) established to oversee court art production
• Literati (scholar-officials) as both patrons and practitioners of art, particularly in painting and calligraphy
  • Art as a means of self-cultivation and expression of Confucian ideals
• Emergence of a middle class in the late Joseon period, leading to increased demand for art in private homes
• Art as a tool for social commentary and criticism, particularly in genre painting
• Buddhist temples and monasteries as important centers of art production and patronage
  • Commissioning of paintings, sculptures, and ritual objects for religious purposes

Cultural Exchange and Foreign Influences

• Influence of Chinese art and culture, particularly during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties
  • Adoption of Chinese painting styles, motifs, and techniques
  • Import of Chinese ceramics and their influence on Korean production
• Japanese invasions (1592-1598) led to the introduction of Japanese art and culture
  • Capture of Korean artisans and their role in the development of Japanese ceramics
• Western influence in the late Joseon period through trade and missionary activity
  • Introduction of linear perspective and shading techniques in painting
  • Adoption of Western motifs and styles in decorative arts

Legacy and Modern Interpretations

• Joseon art as a reflection of Korean identity and cultural heritage
  • Preservation and study of Joseon art in museums and academic institutions
• Influence of Joseon art on modern and contemporary Korean art
  • Revival of traditional techniques and motifs in painting, ceramics, and other media
• Reinterpretation of Joseon art through the lens of postcolonialism and nationalism
  • Reclaiming of cultural identity and pride in the wake of Japanese colonialism
• Global recognition and appreciation of Joseon art
  • International exhibitions and scholarly research
  • Inclusion of Joseon works in major museum collections worldwide