🇰🇷Arts of Korea Unit 4 – Joseon Dynasty Art

Historical Context

• Joseon Dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910 spanning over 500 years
• Followed the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and preceded the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945)
• Founded by Yi Seong-gye, a general who seized power and established a new dynasty
• Confucianism became the dominant ideology influencing politics, society, and art
  • Neo-Confucianism emphasized morality, education, and social order
  • Replaced Buddhism as the state religion
• Joseon Dynasty faced invasions from Japan (Imjin War, 1592-1598) and Manchu (1636-1637)
  • Wars had significant impact on art production and patronage
• Period of relative stability and cultural flourishing during the 17th and 18th centuries
• Decline in the late 19th century due to internal struggles and foreign pressures (Western powers)

Key Characteristics of Joseon Art

• Emphasis on simplicity, elegance, and naturalism in contrast to the decorative style of Goryeo art
• Influence of Confucian values such as loyalty, filial piety, and scholarly pursuits
• Dominance of monochromatic ink paintings (sumukhwa) showcasing brushwork and expression
• Realistic depictions of landscapes, figures, and everyday life scenes
• Use of calligraphy as an integral part of painting compositions
  • Calligraphy often included poems, inscriptions, or artist's seals
• Development of distinct painting genres (portrait, landscape, bird-and-flower, and documentary)
• Emergence of professional court painters (hwawon) and literati painters (muninhwa)

Influential Painters and Their Works

• An Gyeon (15th century)
  • Considered the first master of Korean landscape painting
  • Known for his realistic and detailed depictions of nature (Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land)
• Kim Hong-do (1745-1806)
  • Nicknamed "Danwon" and renowned for his genre paintings of everyday life
  • Captured the essence of common people and their activities (Washing Place)
• Jeong Seon (1676-1759)
  • Pioneered the "true-view" landscape painting style (jingyeong sansuhwa)
  • Depicted actual Korean landscapes with a sense of realism and atmosphere (Geumgang jeondo)
• Shin Yun-bok (1758-1816)
  • Known for his unconventional and satirical genre paintings
  • Portrayed the lives of the upper class and gisaeng (female entertainers) with wit and humor (A Boat Party)

Popular Genres and Themes

• Landscape painting (sansuhwa)
  • Depicted mountains, rivers, and natural scenery of Korea
  • Reflected Confucian ideals of harmony with nature and spiritual retreat
• Genre painting (pungsokhwa)
  • Portrayed scenes of everyday life, festivals, and people from various social classes
  • Provided insights into the customs, clothing, and activities of the Joseon period
• Bird-and-flower painting (hwajohwa)
  • Featured detailed and symbolic representations of birds, flowers, and plants
  • Often carried auspicious meanings and moral lessons
• Portrait painting (chosanghwa)
  • Depicted kings, officials, and scholars in a realistic and dignified manner
  • Served as visual records and commemorations of important figures
• Documentary painting (gyehoedo)
  • Recorded important events, ceremonies, and processions of the royal court
  • Provided historical and cultural documentation of the Joseon Dynasty

Techniques and Materials

• Ink painting (mukhwa) using black ink on hanji paper or silk
  • Emphasized brushwork, tonal variations, and expressive lines
  • Required mastery of brush control and ink application techniques
• Color painting (chaesaekhwa) using mineral pigments and ink
  • Employed vivid colors to enhance the realism and decorative quality of the paintings
  • Commonly used in portrait, bird-and-flower, and documentary paintings
• Calligraphy as an essential skill for artists
  • Different script styles (regular, running, cursive) conveyed artistic expression and personality
• Use of seals (eobo) and inscriptions to add personal and poetic elements to the paintings
• Mounting of paintings on scrolls (hanging or handscrolls) or folding screens (byeongpung)
  • Allowed for flexibility in display and storage of artworks

Royal Patronage and Court Art

• Joseon kings and the royal family were major patrons of the arts
  • Commissioned paintings for palaces, official events, and personal collections
  • Established the Royal Bureau of Painting (Dohwaseo) to train and employ court artists
• Court painters (hwawon) served the needs of the royal court
  • Produced portraits of kings, queens, and royal family members
  • Created documentary paintings of royal ceremonies, processions, and events (Royal Procession to the Ancestral Shrine)
• Royal patronage influenced the styles, themes, and production of Joseon art
  • Artists adhered to the tastes and preferences of the royal patrons
  • Court art often reflected the political and cultural agenda of the dynasty
• Court art served as a means of legitimizing royal authority and showcasing the grandeur of the dynasty
• Royal collections and archives preserved a significant portion of Joseon art heritage

Philosophical and Religious Influences

• Confucianism as the dominant philosophical and moral system
  • Emphasized virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, and social harmony
  • Influenced the subject matter and themes of Joseon art (portraits of exemplary figures, moral narratives)
• Neo-Confucianism (Seongnihak) further developed Confucian ideas
  • Stressed the importance of self-cultivation, education, and ethical behavior
  • Inspired the literati painting tradition (muninhwa) among scholar-officials
• Buddhism, although suppressed, continued to influence art
  • Buddhist temples and monasteries remained important centers of artistic production
  • Buddhist iconography and themes appeared in some paintings and decorative arts
• Taoism and its concepts of nature, simplicity, and spontaneity
  • Influenced the aesthetic principles and techniques of ink painting
  • Encouraged artists to seek harmony with nature and express inner emotions
• Shamanism and folk beliefs
  • Contributed to the depiction of auspicious symbols, mythical creatures, and protective deities in art
  • Reflected the syncretic nature of Korean religious practices

Legacy and Impact on Korean Culture

• Joseon art represents a significant period in Korean art history
  • Established distinctive styles, genres, and aesthetic principles that continue to influence modern and contemporary Korean art
  • Preserved and transmitted traditional techniques and cultural values
• Joseon art serves as a visual record of the dynasty's history, society, and culture
  • Provides insights into the lives, customs, and beliefs of the Korean people during this era
  • Offers a glimpse into the political, social, and cultural dynamics of the Joseon period
• Joseon art has become an integral part of Korean cultural heritage
  • Celebrated and studied as a source of national pride and identity
  • Promoted and showcased through museums, exhibitions, and cultural events worldwide
• Joseon art has inspired and influenced later generations of Korean artists
  • Modern and contemporary artists often draw upon Joseon themes, techniques, and aesthetics in their works
  • Joseon art continues to shape the development and direction of Korean art
• The legacy of Joseon art extends beyond Korea
  • Has gained international recognition and appreciation for its unique style and cultural significance
  • Contributes to the global understanding and appreciation of Korean art and culture.