21.2 Development of Korean landscape painting
2 min read•august 5, 2024
Korean landscape painting evolved during the , blending Chinese influences with local styles. Artists like and played key roles in shaping this art form, creating monumental and true-view landscapes that captured Korea's natural beauty.
Painters developed distinct styles, including the 's expressive and the 's detailed compositions. These approaches, combined with the true-view style, led to a uniquely Korean landscape tradition that celebrated the country's scenery and cultural identity.
Influential Painters
An Gyeon and Jeong Seon
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- An Gyeon was a prominent early Joseon period painter known for his landscapes
- An Gyeon's paintings often depicted vast, panoramic views of mountains and rivers
- Jeong Seon, also known as Gyeomjae, was a highly influential painter of the late Joseon period
- Jeong Seon is credited with establishing the () style
- Jeong Seon's paintings were characterized by their of actual Korean landscapes ()
Gyeomjae Jeong Seon's Impact
- 's true-view landscape style had a significant impact on the development of Korean landscape painting
- Jeong Seon's approach to painting emphasized the importance of direct observation and depicting the unique qualities of Korean landscapes
- Jeong Seon's paintings often included detailed renderings of rocks, trees, and other
- Jeong Seon's influence can be seen in the works of later Korean landscape painters who continued to develop the true-view style
Painting Styles
Monumental Landscape and True-View Landscape
- style, popularized by An Gyeon, featured grand, idealized views of nature
- Monumental landscapes often depicted towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and vast expanses of space
- True-view landscape (jingyeong sansu) style, established by Jeong Seon, focused on realistic depictions of actual Korean landscapes
- True-view landscapes were based on direct observation and sought to capture the unique qualities of specific locations
- True-view landscapes often included recognizable landmarks and topographical features (Geumgangsan Mountain)
Southern and Northern School Styles
- Southern School style, influenced by , emphasized simplicity, spontaneity, and personal expression
- Southern School painters often used loose, expressive brushstrokes and ink washes to create
- Northern School style, also influenced by Chinese painting, was characterized by more detailed, precise, and decorative compositions
- Northern School painters often used fine lines, vibrant colors, and intricate patterns in their works
- Both Southern and Northern School styles were adapted by Korean painters and incorporated into the development of unique Korean painting traditions (Jeong Seon's true-view landscapes)
Key Terms to Review (16)
An gyeon: An gyeon refers to a style of Korean landscape painting that emerged during the Joseon Dynasty, characterized by its focus on the harmony between nature and humanity. This style emphasizes the depiction of serene natural landscapes, often infused with philosophical elements drawn from Confucianism and Daoism, reflecting a deep appreciation for the natural world and the importance of balance in life.
Atmospheric effects: Atmospheric effects refer to the visual phenomena created by the interaction of light with the atmosphere, which influences how colors, forms, and details are perceived in art, particularly in landscape painting. This concept is crucial in creating depth and a sense of realism, allowing artists to convey the mood and ambience of a scene through techniques such as color gradation and haziness. In landscape painting, these effects help to create an illusion of distance and enhance the overall emotional impact of the work.
Brushwork: Brushwork refers to the technique and style of applying paint to a surface using a brush, significantly impacting the visual quality and expressive nature of a painting. In Korean landscape painting, brushwork is vital for conveying the beauty of nature, capturing the essence of the landscape, and expressing the artist's emotions and intentions through varying strokes, textures, and layers.
Chinese Literati Painting: Chinese literati painting is an artistic style that emerged during the Song dynasty, characterized by its emphasis on personal expression and scholarly values rather than mere technical skill or commercial success. This form of painting often reflects the artist's intellectual pursuits, philosophical beliefs, and connections to poetry and calligraphy, creating a rich interplay between the visual arts and literature.
Gyeomjae jeong seon: Gyeomjae jeong seon refers to a prominent style of Korean landscape painting that emerged in the late Joseon Dynasty, particularly associated with the artist Jeong Seon. This style is characterized by its emphasis on natural beauty, meticulous detail, and a focus on capturing the essence of Korean landscapes, often incorporating elements of Confucianism and an appreciation for nature's harmony.
Ink wash: Ink wash is a painting technique that involves the use of diluted black ink to create a range of tonal effects, from deep blacks to light grays. This technique allows for fluid brushwork and a sense of movement, making it particularly effective in capturing landscapes and atmospheric conditions. Ink wash became especially prominent during certain dynasties in East Asia, where it contributed to the development of various artistic styles and practices.
Jeong seon: Jeong Seon is a significant figure in the development of Korean landscape painting during the 18th century, known for his distinct style that emphasizes natural beauty and realism. He played a crucial role in moving Korean art away from Chinese influence, focusing instead on local landscapes and capturing the essence of the Korean environment through vibrant colors and detailed brushwork.
Jingyeong sansu: Jingyeong sansu is a style of Korean landscape painting that emphasizes the natural beauty of the environment, capturing the essence of mountains, water, and skies with a sense of tranquility and harmony. This approach reflects not just aesthetic values but also philosophical ideas, connecting the viewer to nature and evoking a meditative state.
Joseon Dynasty: The Joseon Dynasty was a Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted for approximately five centuries, from 1392 to 1910, known for its advancements in culture, art, science, and governance. It is particularly notable for its influence on Korean identity and the development of traditional Korean aesthetics, which is reflected in its ceramics, landscape painting, and genre art.
Monumental landscape: A monumental landscape refers to a large-scale depiction of nature that emphasizes grandeur and dramatic features, often serving as a backdrop for human experiences and emotions. This concept is crucial in art, especially in landscape painting, as it illustrates the relationship between humans and the natural world, capturing both the majesty and the transcendent qualities of landscapes.
Mount Geumgang: Mount Geumgang, often translated as 'Diamond Mountain,' is a prominent mountain range located in the northeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty, it has played a significant role in Korean landscape painting, particularly during the development of this artistic genre, symbolizing harmony between nature and humanity.
Natural elements: Natural elements refer to the components of nature that artists often incorporate into their work, such as mountains, rivers, trees, and skies. In the context of Korean landscape painting, these elements are not only depicted for their beauty but also symbolize harmony, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. The representation of natural elements in these artworks reflects a deeper philosophical understanding of nature as an integral part of life and culture.
Northern School: The Northern School refers to a significant tradition of landscape painting that emerged in China during the Song Dynasty, characterized by its emphasis on meticulous detail and realism. This school of thought contrasted with the Southern School, which favored a more expressive and spontaneous approach. The Northern School played a crucial role in influencing later developments in East Asian art, particularly in Korea, as it introduced various techniques and perspectives that shaped the evolution of landscape painting in the region.
Realistic depictions: Realistic depictions refer to representations in art that aim to portray subjects in a naturalistic manner, reflecting true-to-life qualities and details. This approach emphasizes accuracy in the portrayal of physical characteristics, environments, and emotions, allowing viewers to connect with the artwork on a deeper level. In the context of landscape painting, realistic depictions serve to enhance the viewer's appreciation of nature and evoke an emotional response through careful observation of the world.
Southern School: The Southern School refers to a prominent school of Chinese landscape painting that emerged during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and emphasizes a more personal, expressive approach to nature. This style contrasts with the Northern School, which focused on meticulous detail and representation. Artists of the Southern School often prioritized the evocation of mood and emotion over strict realism, creating works that celebrated the beauty of nature and the inner feelings of the painter.
True-view landscape: True-view landscape is a genre of painting that aims to present a detailed and realistic depiction of a specific location, often characterized by an elevated viewpoint and intricate detail. This style emerged as a response to the increasing demand for representations of actual places, reflecting a growing appreciation for realism and naturalism in art.