🇰🇷Arts of Korea Unit 2 – Three Kingdoms Period Art
The Three Kingdoms period in Korea, spanning from 57 BCE to 668 CE, was marked by rivalry between Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. This era saw significant artistic development, influenced by Buddhism and cultural exchanges with China and Japan.
Each kingdom developed distinct artistic styles. Goguryeo was known for bold tomb murals, Baekje for refined metalwork, and Silla for sophisticated gold crowns and jewelry. Buddhist art flourished, introducing new iconography and architectural forms that would shape Korean art for centuries.
Three Kingdoms period in Korea lasted from 57 BCE to 668 CE, characterized by the rival states of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla
Goguryeo (37 BCE - 668 CE) was the largest and most powerful of the three kingdoms, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies
Controlled much of the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria
Capital cities: Jolbon and Pyongyang
Baekje (18 BCE - 660 CE) was a maritime power with strong cultural ties to China and Japan
Controlled the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula
Capital cities: Ungjin (present-day Gongju) and Sabi (present-day Buyeo)
Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE) was the smallest of the three kingdoms but eventually unified the peninsula after forming an alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China
Controlled the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula
Capital city: Gyeongju
Period of political instability, frequent warfare, and shifting alliances among the three kingdoms
Introduction and spread of Buddhism from China had a significant impact on art and culture during this period
Key Artistic Styles
Goguryeo art style known for its bold, dynamic, and expressive qualities
Characterized by vivid colors, energetic brushwork, and a focus on movement and action
Influenced by Chinese and Central Asian art styles (Tang Dynasty, Silk Road)
Baekje art style refined, elegant, and influenced by Chinese and Japanese artistic traditions
Emphasized graceful lines, subtle colors, and intricate details
Incorporated Buddhist iconography and motifs
Silla art style synthesized elements from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Tang Dynasty China
Known for its sophisticated craftsmanship, use of precious materials (gold, silver), and Buddhist themes
Developed a unique style of gold crowns and jewelry
Buddhist art flourished during this period, including sculpture, painting, and architecture
Introduced new iconography, such as the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and guardian deities
Incorporated local artistic traditions and symbolism
Major Artworks and Artifacts
Goguryeo tomb murals depicting daily life, warfare, and mythological scenes
Anak Tomb No. 3 (357 CE) features a famous hunting scene and celestial deities
Ssangyeongchong Tomb (5th century) showcases a procession of warriors and horses
Baekje gilt-bronze incense burner (6th-7th century) exemplifies the refined metalwork of the period
Intricate openwork design and Buddhist iconography
Silla golden crowns and jewelry showcase the kingdom's wealth and craftsmanship
Geumgwanchong Gold Crown (5th-6th century) features a tree-like design with jade and glass beads
Cheonmachong Gold Crown (5th-6th century) adorned with gold spangles and pendant ornaments
Seokguram Grotto (8th century), a Silla-era Buddhist cave temple with a monumental seated Buddha statue
Represents the culmination of Silla Buddhist art and architecture
Pensive Bodhisattva (National Treasure No. 83) from the Silla period
Gilt-bronze statue depicting a bodhisattva in a contemplative pose
Epitomizes the serene and introspective qualities of Silla Buddhist sculpture
Techniques and Materials
Tomb murals created using mineral pigments on lime plaster
Techniques included outlining, shading, and color gradation
Metalwork utilized sophisticated casting, chasing, and gilding techniques
Lost-wax casting used to create intricate bronze and gold objects
Granulation and filigree work added fine details to jewelry and decorative items
Stone carving employed for Buddhist sculpture and architectural elements
Granite and limestone were common materials
Relief carving and free-standing sculpture techniques were used
Lacquerware and wooden objects were also produced, although fewer examples have survived due to the perishable nature of the materials
Textile arts, such as silk weaving and embroidery, were highly developed during this period
Goguryeo and Baekje were known for their fine silk production
Influential Artists and Patrons
Damjing, a renowned Goguryeo painter active in the 6th century
Credited with painting the murals in the Ssangyeongchong Tomb
Considered a master of portraying dynamic action and vivid colors
King Wideok of Baekje (r. 554-598) was a significant patron of the arts
Sponsored the construction of Buddhist temples and the production of religious artworks
Sent artists and craftsmen to Japan to share Baekje's artistic traditions
Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632-647) supported the arts and Buddhism
Commissioned the construction of the Hwangnyongsa Temple, a major Buddhist center
Patronized the production of Buddhist sculpture and metalwork
Monk-artists played a crucial role in the creation of Buddhist art
Hyecho, a Silla monk who traveled to India and wrote the "Memoir of the Pilgrimage to the Five Regions of India"
Contributed to the transmission of Buddhist iconography and styles
Cultural and Religious Influences
Confucianism and Taoism, introduced from China, influenced political ideology and social values
Confucian principles of loyalty, filial piety, and social hierarchy were reflected in art
Taoist themes of harmony with nature and immortality were depicted in tomb murals
Buddhism, which arrived in Korea during the 4th century, had a profound impact on art and culture
Buddhist teachings and iconography became central to artistic expression
Temples, monasteries, and cave shrines were built to house religious artworks and serve as centers of learning
Indigenous Korean shamanism and animistic beliefs coexisted with imported religions
Shamanic motifs and symbols were incorporated into Buddhist art
Nature spirits and guardian deities were depicted in tomb murals and decorative objects
Cultural exchanges with China, particularly during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), greatly influenced Korean art
Chinese artistic styles, techniques, and motifs were adapted and localized
Korean artists and monks traveled to China to study and bring back new ideas
Legacy and Impact
Three Kingdoms period art laid the foundation for the artistic traditions of unified Silla and subsequent Korean dynasties
Silla art style, which synthesized elements from the Three Kingdoms, became the dominant artistic tradition
Buddhist art and architecture continued to flourish during the unified Silla period (668-935)
Goguryeo tomb murals provide invaluable insights into the daily life, warfare, and beliefs of the period
Serve as important historical and archaeological resources
Influenced later mural painting traditions in Korea and Japan
Baekje art and culture had a significant impact on ancient Japan
Baekje artists and craftsmen introduced new artistic styles and techniques to Japan
Contributed to the development of Buddhist art and architecture in Japan (Asuka period)
Silla metalwork, particularly golden crowns and jewelry, are considered masterpieces of Korean art
Showcase the technical skill and aesthetic sensibilities of Silla artisans
Influenced later Korean metalwork traditions
Three Kingdoms period art demonstrates the cultural diversity and artistic exchanges that shaped early Korean civilization
Reflects the complex political, religious, and social dynamics of the time
Highlights Korea's role in the broader context of East Asian art history
Key Takeaways
The Three Kingdoms period was characterized by the rival states of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, each with distinct artistic styles and cultural influences
Buddhism, introduced from China, had a profound impact on art and culture during this period, leading to the creation of numerous Buddhist artworks and monuments
Goguryeo art is known for its bold, dynamic qualities, as seen in the tomb murals depicting daily life, warfare, and mythological scenes
Baekje art is characterized by its refined elegance and influence on ancient Japanese art and culture
Silla art synthesized elements from the other two kingdoms and the Tang Dynasty of China, known for its sophisticated craftsmanship and use of precious materials
Metalwork, particularly in gold and bronze, reached high levels of technical and artistic achievement during this period
The Three Kingdoms period laid the foundation for the artistic traditions of unified Silla and subsequent Korean dynasties, demonstrating the cultural diversity and exchanges that shaped early Korean civilization