KOREAN ART

Exploring the History of Korean Art

REPORTERS :
Ma. Aurelia G. Riveral
Gian Marie F. Itable
Table of contents
An Introduction to
01 Korean Art
Periods and
02 Influences

Forms of Korean
03 Art
Famous Korean
04 Artists
An Introduction to
Korean Art
"An art given birth to
and developed by a
nation is its own art"
 What is Korean
Art?
The art of Korea is marked with the traditions
of calligraphy, music, painting and pottery,
often by the use of natural forms, surface
decoration and bold colors or sounds.

From pottery to calligraphy and painting,

Korean art has provided some of the richest
and most captivating artworks in global art
history. Many art styles emerged from the
different kingdoms and dynasties of Korea
and even drew inspiration from Chinese
traditions.
Characteristics of Korean Art
Korean art has developed many traditional mediums such as pottery, calligraphy, and
painting, with a focus being put on decorating surfaces with natural forms. Japanese
and Chinese art had a huge influence on the Korean aesthetic, with Korean artists
borrowing certain recognizable techniques and motifs from their designs.

Centuries of the Korean preference for simplicity led to a lessening of extremes

regarding lines, and the usually rigid straight lines or overtly curving lines of the other
eastern art traditions were modestly represented in the Korean counterparts. Korean art
is connected to the concept of naturalism, and characterized by its non-complex and
harmonious composition, displaying a deep connection with the artist’s natural
surroundings. The idea of naturalism was to try to portray nature as true to life as
possible, without the interference of the distortion created by the subjective human
mind.
Characteristics of Korean Art

This led to a preference for using

unadorned surfaces in the wood engraving
techniques of Korean sculptors and Korean
potters, who would strive to amplify the
natural textures and contours of the
medium, instead of working against it. This
style is characterized by the avoidance of
techniques that employ extreme angles,
sharp lines, and bold outlines.
 "Korean art is typified by its
gentle and natural content, fluent
lines, and a feeling of harmony,
balance, and peace."
PERIODS AND
INFLUENCES
 Timeline Overview of the Korean Art

Time Period/Dynasty Dates

Neolithic and Bronze Era c. 8000 – 1500 BC

Bronze Age c. 10/15th – 4th century BC

Iron Age c. 4th – 300 AD

Three Kingdoms c. 57 BC – 668 AD

Silla c. 57 BC – 935 AD

Goryeo c. 918 AD – 1392

The Great Joseon c. 1392 – 1897

History of Korean Art
As art historians have noted, the Chinese influence was prominent in the early
development of Korean art history, yet acknowledge that over many years, the
Koreans began to refine their technique into something unique to their own
culture, creating styles that assimilated the techniques and motifs of their
eastern neighbors, yet toning down the use of extreme angels or excessively
bold lines.

Based on the evidence collected from archeological sites, Korea was originally
populated by people that had traveled via Manchuria from Siberia sometime during
the latter period of the Stone Age. Many pieces of artifacts found during
archeological excavations have been dated as far back as the Paleolithic period,
approximately 10 000 BC.
Neolithic period :The formative period
• The Korean Peninsula has been occupied since approximately 50 000 BC when humans
migrated there from Serbia. The earliest examples of pottery found have been dated by
archeologists as being from around the period 7000 BC.
• These flat bottomed vessels were made from clay that had been fired over open pits,
bearing the designs of horizontal lines and relief impressions.
• The most common decoration of this period is zigzag or comb-like incisions which have
given the name to a type of pottery: comb wares (Chulmun). Some vessels have square
spiral incisions while others have raised decorations achieved by pinching the clay.
• Sometime during 2000 BC, the large vessels used for storage and cooking were made,
known as Mumun pottery. However, unlike other examples of pottery from Korean art
history, these were largely undecorated.
Neolithic period :The formative period

Pottery with Applique Decoration from the Neolithic period

Neolithic period :The formative period

Jeulmun 8000 BC - 1500 BC

- means "Comb-patterned“
- It is named after the decorated pottery vessels
that form a large part of the pottery assemblage
consistently over the above period
- The Jeulmun is significant for the origins of
plant cultivation and sedentary societies in the
Korean peninsula.
- The Jeulmun was a period of hunting,
gathering, and small-scale cultivation of plants.
Neolithic period :The formative period

Mumun pottery from the Neolithic period

Neolithic period :The formative period
Mumun 1500 BC - 300 BC
- This period is named after the Korean name
for undecorated or plain cooking and storage
vessels that form a large part of the pottery
assemblage over the entire length of the
period.
- Important long-term traditions related to
Mumun ceremonial and mortuary systems
originated in this sub-period.
- These traditions include the construction of
megalithic burials, the production of red-
burnished pottery, and production of polished
ground stone daggers.
Bronze Age

By the seventh century BC, an indigenous bronze culture was established in

Korea as evidenced by Korean bronze having a unique percentage of zinc.
Weapons such as swords, daggers, and spearheads. Also, ritual items such as
mirrors, bells, and rattles were made. These items were buried in dolmens with
the cultural elite. Additionally, iron-rich red pots began to be created around
circa 6th century. Comma-shaped beads, usually made from nephrite, known as
kokkok have also been found in dolmen burials which may be carved to imitate
bear claws.
Bronze Age

Bronze Mirror Bronze Ritual Artifact

Bronze Age

-Early bronze technology, too, was probably

first introduced to Korea by Manchurians
between 2000 and 1000 BC.
- With the introduction of iron technology, the
potter's wheel, Chinese writing, Buddhism,
Confucianism, Chinese culture became firmly
embedded on the Korean peninsula.
Iron Age
This age is marked by the adoption of the iron casting techniques of the
Chinese, most likely introduced during the 5th and 4th centuries BC through
contact with Yan, a state of North-East China. It was common for Koreans to
simulate techniques and technology from their eastern counterparts and turn it
into something uniquely Korean, not only matching but sometimes even
exceeding the processes learned from other cultures

“The introduction of this casting technology from China marks the beginning
of the Korean Iron Age.”
Three Kingdoms
The first major period of Korean art during recorded history is the period of
the Three Kingdoms, when the peninsula of Korea was ruled over by three
separate monarchies.The various kingdoms were known as Goguryeo, Baekje,
and Silla.
 
Three Kingdoms

Painting of envoys from the Three Korean (Goguryeo) ambassadors during an

Kingdoms of Korea to the Tang audience with King Varkhuman of Samarkand.
 court: Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo.  They are identified by the two feathers on top of
Portraits of Periodical Offering, 7th their head.[59] 648–651 AD, Afrasiab murals,
century Tang dynasty Samarkand.[60][61]
Three Kingdoms : Goguryeo
In 372 CE, Buddhism was introduced to Goguryeo, a kingdom that
encompassed southern and central Manchuria, as well as parts of modern-day
Korea. It was during this time of Buddhist influence that members of the royal
ruling class began to commission art dedicated to Buddhism. Goguryeo art is
exemplified by vividly decorated murals on the ancient Korean tombs, which
portrayed everyday scenes of life in the ancient kingdom. 
 - This style originated from China, yet
Korean artists elevated the craft to a higher
level, in turn leading the Chinese
themselves to refer to Korean crafts and
pottery as “the first under heaven.”

-By reducing the amount of oxygen in the

kiln, a green-blue hue is created, a glaze
finish known as “kingfisher color.”

-This pottery depicted fish, fruit, and

mythical creatures in a free-flow style.
Kettle made of celadon, made in the 12th
century during the Goryeo Dynasty;
A wall painting depicting a hunting scene in the Muyongchong Tomb, from the
Goguryeo Kingdom
Three Kingdoms: Baekje (Paekche)
The greatest Korean traditional art of the time
is said to come from the Baekje Kingdom. The
Baekje culture took great influence from the
southern Chinese dynasties, and also in turn
influenced other neighboring dynasties such as
the Japanese. Baekje sculptures were religious
in context, often depicting Buddha, but in
typical Korean style which is typified by its
warmth and harmonious proportions.

Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of

Baekje
Baekje (Paekche)

Standing gilt-bronze statue of

Buddha, from the Baekje
Kingdom
United Silla
• Many Korean crafts that have been excavated have come from this
kingdom, as geographically it was rather isolated and so the tombs remain
relatively undisturbed.
• Situated in the most southeastern section of Korea, it was the final kingdom
to eventually feel the influence of outside cultures, and also the last to adopt
Buddhism as the region’s chosen religion.
• The craftsmen of this region are most renowned for their gold-crafting
skills, such as crowns and gold jewelry, which share a close resemblance to
techniques found in Europe, leading some historians to believe that this
region was part of the Silk Route.
.
United Silla

Other architectural developments included the widespread use of granite. Korean granite
pagodas, for instance, stand in sharp contrast to the wooden pagodas of Japan and the
brick pagodas of China. Bronzesmiths were responsible for a large number of temple
bells, as well as special receptacles for the sacred ashes of the Shakyamuni Buddha
(sharira boxes), and Buddhist statues. During the late ninth century, supplies of bronze
almost ran out, causing many statues to be made of iron.
United Silla

Gold Crown of the Silla Lidded Jar with Handle,

Kingdom 9th century
Joseon Dynasty

The rulers of the Yi, or Joseon, dynasty (1392-1910) adopted Confucianism as their
governing ideology and withdrew official support for Buddhism. During their reign,
Confucianism's conservative ethics and values dominated Korea's social structure and
attitudes. Like their Chinese counterparts, Korean scholars practiced the twin arts of
calligraphy and painting. Rejecting the opulence of the previous Koryo dynasty, Yi
potters made a coarse, informally decorated ware known as Punch'ong. Simple white
porcelains, inspired by the Chinese, also became popular during the early centuries of
the Yi dynasty, and by the mid-15th century, white porcelains with blue, brown, and
red designs began to be produced as well. Unlike Chinese porcelains, however, Korean
ceramics are known for their vigorous painting styles and whimsical designs.
Joseon Dynasty

Geumgangsa Military Cheop (1788) by Kim Hong-do, Late Joseon

Dynasty;
Joseon Dynasty

Flask, 17th century Jar with Dragon and

Clouds, late 18th Century
Joseon Dynasty

Storage Jar
Attendant to a King of
Hell, 19th century
 Forms of
Korean Art
Forms of Korean Art

Korean art can be grouped into several categories defined by the use of
various mediums and techniques, from Korean painting to other Korean
crafts, such as ceramics and sculpture to calligraphy and architecture.
Here are some of the notable forms of art to come out of Korea.
Calligraphy and Print
Calligraphy is considered high art in Korea, each brushstroke revealing something of the
character and personality of the artist himself, thus amplifying the subject being painted.
Handmade paper is used in Korea for a range of practical and artistic uses.
Architecturally, it is used for floor covering and window screening. As an art medium, it
is used in various forms such as printing, paper figures, and even paper clothing.

For the majority of the 20th century in Korea, the most prominent artistic medium was
painting, with abstraction being of specific interest to Korean artists in the 1930s. In the
mid-1960s, a few artists started to challenge the status quo of what was expected from ink
painters when they began to abuse the materials and manipulate them in strange ways by
soaking canvases, pushing the paint around, ripping paper, and dragging pencils through
the art, such as artist Kwon Young-Woo.
Calligraphy and Print
• This art form represents the apogee of Korean Confucian art.
• Korean fabric arts have a long history, and include Korean embroidery used in costumes and
screenwork
•  Korean knots as best represented in the work of Choe Eun-sun, used in costumes and as wall-
decorations; and lesser known weaving skills as indicated below in rarer arts.
• Korean paper art includes all manner of handmade paper (hanji), used for architectural
purposes (window screens, floor covering), for printing, artwork, and the Korean folded arts
(paper fans, paper figures), and as well Korean paper clothing which has an annual fashion
show in Jeonju city attracting world attention.
• In the 1960s, Korean paper made from mulberry roots was discovered when the Pulguksa
 (temple) complex in Gyeongju was remodelled. The date on the Buddhist documents converts
to a western calendar date of 751, and indicated that indeed the oft quoted claim that Korean
paper can last a thousand years was proved irrevocably. However, after repeated invasions, very
little early Korean paper art exists. Contemporary paper artists are very active.
Kim Jeong-hui, 1786–1856. Ink on paper, Gansong Art Museum. He was a prominent
Korean civil minister, Silhak scholar, and calligrapher. He invented his own style of
calligraphy called chusache, based on ancient Korean monumental inscriptions; 
추사 김정희 (金正喜: 1786~1856)
Painting in the Era of Cold Weather by Kim Jeong-hui
Painting
The history of Korean painting stretches back to the early murals painted
on the walls of tombs during the fourth century. In the fourth century,
China was considered, both by itself, as well as by many Asian countries
under its influence, to be the center of the universe. As such, many Korean
painters were sent to China to learn modern Chinese painting styles. What
they learned, influenced not only the paintings of Korea, but also the art of
Japan, as many Korean artisans migrated to Japan.
Calligraphy and Print
•  Beginning in the 1930s, abstraction was of particular interest.Korean fabric arts have a long
history, and include 
• From the mid-1960s, artists like Kwon Young-woo began to push paint, soak canvas, drag
pencils, rip paper, and otherwise manipulate the materials of painting in ways that challenged
preconceived notions of what it meant to be an ink painter (Asian painter) or oil painter
(soyanghwaga), the two categories within which most artists were categorized.
• Academic painting inspired by Japanese modernism was favored by the Park Chung-hee
dictatorship and shown in state-run shows called Gukjeon (National Art Exhibition). 
• Brush-strokes as well are far more important than they are to the western artist; paintings are
judged on brush-strokes more often than pure technique.
• While there have been only rare studies on Korean aesthetics, a useful place to begin for
understanding how Korean art developed an aesthetic is in Korean philosophy, and related
articles on Korean Buddhism, and Korean Confucianism.
Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land by An Gyeon.
Photography
During the 1930s, many Korean amateur photographers appeared, setting up "70 amateur
Korean architecture (Korean:  한국건축 ) refers to an 
photography clubs with architectural
up to 1000 style that
members.The practice
developed of photography
over centuries in Korea. in Korea was delayed
until the late 19th century, becausethe
Throughout of history
the Joseon Dynasty's
of Korea, policy forbidding
various kingdoms and contact with
foreigners. royal dynasties have developed a unique style of
architecture with influences from Buddhism and 
Korean Confucianism.
Art photography was the dominant
Having tendency
been deeply among
influenced amateur architecture,
by Chinese photographers[1] during this period.
A few foreign photographers, suchKorean
 traditional as Felix Beato, took
architecture photographs
can be in Korea or of Korean people
mostly recognized
by its sloping
outside of Korea in the 1860s roofs.
and 1870s.
[2]

Just like in the case of other Korean arts, Korean

architecture is distinguished by its naturalistic tendencies,
After World War II, the simplicity,
amateur economy
photographers'
of shape,group Chosun of
and avoidance Photo Art Study Group (Choson
extremes
Sajin Yesul Yonguhui) was formed in 1945. In the late 19th century, some Korean photographers
appeared.
Ceramics and Sculpture
The most famous and oldest art in Korean art history is Korean pottery. It is
connected to Korean ceramics such as massive murals, tile work, and elements of
architecture. Much of the early ceramic techniques and styles were adopted from the
Chinese culture.

Korean ceramics became highly revered in Japan, considered the most famous
Korean art for the Japanese. The chambered kilns used by the Koreans were highly
effective in helping to forge the high-quality local materials into finished products
that were eventually exported to Japan.
Ceramic blue and white porcelain plum and bamboo pattern jar from
the National Museum of Korea; Octopus9576, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Korean Architecture
Korean architecture (Korean:  한국건축 ) refers to an architectural style that
developed over centuries in Korea. Throughout the history of Korea, various
kingdoms and royal dynasties have developed a unique style of architecture
with influences from Buddhism and Korean Confucianism.

Having been deeply influenced by Chinese architecture,[1] traditional Korean

architecture can be mostly recognized by its sloping roofs.[2]
Just like in the case of other Korean arts, Korean architecture is distinguished
by its naturalistic tendencies, simplicity, economy of shape, and avoidance of
extremes
Korean Architecture
• In Korean architecture, buildings are structured
vertically and horizontally.
• A construction usually rises from a stone subfoundation
to a curved roof covered with tiles, held by a console
structure and supported on posts; walls are made of
earth (adobe) or are sometimes totally composed of
movable wooden doors. Architecture is built according
to the kan unit, the distance between two posts (about
3.7 meters), and is designed so that there is always a
transitional space between the "inside" and the
"outside.“

Geunjeongjeon Hall of 

Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in
1868
Korean Architecture: Fortress Architecture

Namdaemun Gate, one of the Eight

Gates in the Fortress Wall of Seoul South gate, Hwaseong Fortress.
Korean Architecture: Religious Architecture

Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Heritage

Temple of Heaven, a site where Korean Emperors
site. This Confucian shrine is
performed the rites to Heaven.
dedicated to the ancestors of the
Joseon dynasty kings.
Korean Architecture: Royal Architecture

Myeongjeongjeon, the throne hall of Gyeonghoeru, a royal banquet pavilion of

Changgyeonggung Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Korean Architecture: Urban Architecture

Myeongjeongjeon, the throne hall of Gyeonghoeru, a royal banquet pavilion of

Changgyeonggung Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Korean Architecture: Vernacular Architecture

Typical Confucian scholar's residence. Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 References:
Korean Art - Exploring Both Traditional and Modern Kore Korean Art - Exploring the History of Tradit
an Art (artincontext.org) ional Korean Art (artfilemagazine.com)
Prehistory and Ancient History::NATIONAL MUSEUM O
F KOREA Park Su-geun - Wikiwand
Korean art | History, Characteristics, Styles, Paintings, &
Facts | Britannica

Ucchin
Chang, a Painter Who painted a Family (green-courseh
ub.com)
Metalwork - Bronze Daggers, Gold Crown, Buddhist Bell
s, Miniature Shrines | Britannica

Neolithic and Bronze Age - The Art of Asia - Guide to Kor

ean Historical Periods (artsmia.org)
Famous Korean
Artists
Famous Korean Artists

Besides the older artists involved in traditional Korean art, some

contemporary artists have left their mark on modern Korean art and
South Korean art. Famous Korean artists from 20th Century Korea
include Nam June Paik, Park Su-Guen, and Chang Ucchin. Notable
Korean artists from the 21st Century include David Choe, Amy Sol, and
Tschoon Su Kim.
Jeong Seon (1676 - 1759)
Jeong Seon, also known as Kyomjae, was a traditional Korean artist famous for his
landscape paintings. Jeong’s work included mediums such as ink as well as
Oriental-style water paintings. His style was not abstract but bore some resemblance
to reality, his landscape paintings being created in the “true-view” style popular at
the time.

His paintings of Korean landscapes and life have made him one of the most famous
in Korean traditional art.
Jeong Seon (1676 – 1759)

Taking a rest after reading books (c. 1786-1856),

believed to be a self-portrait of the painter Jeong
Seon; 
Jeong Seon (1676 – 1759)

Jeong Seon was born on the 16th of February, 1676 in Seoul.

He painted mostly for leisure at this time, occasionally making

landscape paintings for the rare client, until he was introduced
to a neighbor that recommended him to the Joseon Bureau of
Paintings, where he then took up a position as a painter.

Jeong is considered one of the most eminent painters of his era

and many other Korean artists were inspired to emulate his
techniques and style
Park Su-Geun (1914 - 1965)

Park Su-Geun was born in Yanggu County in South Korea on the 21st of February,
1914. As a teenager, Su-Geun taught himself how to paint in the style of Korean
traditional art, following his studies at Yanggu Elementary School. He first launched
his public career in Korean painting in 1932, when his work Spring is Gone was
chosen to be displayed at the 11th annual painting contest held in Seonjeon. He was
chosen eight more times to exhibit in the competition until 1944.
Park Su-Geun (1914 - 1965)

Lilies
Park Soo-Keun
Park Su-Geun (1914 - 1965)

Park Su-Geun is best known for his use of

Korean-based folklore themes and worked
predominately in grayscale.

“Woman Pounding Grain” (

절구질하는 여인 , 1952)
Chang Ucchin (1917 - 1990)
Chang Ucchin was born on the 26th November 1917 in Korea at a time
when it was still ruled by the Japanese.

The subjects of his paintings include images of the moon and the sun, birds,
children, and other things familiar to the Korean way of life, but painted in
his unique techniques.

His work exudes a child-like innocence, viewing subject matter and the
surrounding world through clear and unjaded eyes. Buddhist themes were
common in his work, as well as images of his neighbors and the scenes he
saw around him in daily life. Examples of his works containing this
simplistic child-like style include Village (1957), and A Family Portrait
(1957).
Chang Ucchin (1917 - 1990)

Ucchin Chang, A Family

Portrait, 7.5x14.8cm, 1972
Chang Ucchin (1917 - 1990)

Ucchin Chang, Village, 40.5x27.5 cm,1957

Kim Tschang-Yeul (1929 – 2021)
Kim Tschang-Yuel was born in Maengsan, Korea, on the 24th of December
1929. After serving in the Korean War, he studied at Seoul University’s
College of Fine Arts in the mid-1950s.

This fascination with liquid forms eventually led to Kim being recognized as a
prominent contemporary Korean artist for his famous style of painting water
droplets.
Kim Tschang-Yeul (1929 – 2021)

Waterdrops,(1986),Oil and acrylic on canvas, 28.74 x 21.26 inches

73 x 54 cm
Kim Tschang-Yeul (1929 – 2021)

Waterdrops, (1990) Oil, tinfix, and acrylic on canvas ,21.65 x 17.72 inches
55 x 45 cm
Nam June Paik (1932 – 2006)
Nam June Paik is known around the world as the “Father of Video Art” and is
responsible for creating a massive body of artwork ranging from work with
television and videotapes to performance installations and video and video
sculptures. Paik’s artwork has inspired new generations of modern Korean art
with his visionary art and innovative ideas and had an influence that reached
around the globe.

His work stands out as being very different from traditional Korean art and a
prime example of the new generation of South Korea Art.
Nam June Paik (1932 – 2006)

Nam June Paik – TV Buddha, 1974/2002, Statue of Buddha, TV monitor, closed-circuit
camera, color, silent, dimensions variable, collection of the Nam June Paik Art Center
Famous Korean
Artworks
Self Portrait of Yun Du-Seo by Yun Du-Seo (1715)
Yun Du-Seo was a famous traditional Korean artist from the Joseon period.
He devoted his entire life to the study of Confucianism and painting. This
work is his self-portrait. Most of the canvas is taken up by his head and beard
with no visible portrayal of a body in the painting. The skullcap that can be
partially seen at the top of the painting is made from horsehair and was typical
headwear for the era.
Self Portrait of Yun Du-Seo by Yun Du-Seo (1715)

Out of the many self-portraits to come out

of his era, this is considered particularly
noteworthy for the unique mode of
expression, and is considered a
masterpiece.
ARTIST Yun Du-Seo

YEAR 1715

MEDIUM Light colour on paper

DIMENSIONS 20 cm x 38 cm
Inwang Jesaekdo by Jeong Seon (1751)
Inwang Jesaekdo was painted in 1751 by the famous Korean artist, Jeong
Seon. Inwang Jesaekdo translates to After Rain at Mt. Inwang. It was created
during the Joseon Dynasty in Chengun-Dong in the Jongno District, his
birthplace. In 1984, the piece was designated the 217th National Treasure of
Korea by the South Korean government.
Inwang Jesaekdo by Jeong Seon (1751)

ARTIST Jeong Seon

YEAR 1751

MEDIUM Ink on paper

DIMENSIONS 79 cm x 138 cm

It depicts a rural Japanese landscape, with rolling mist creeping through the trees below the
mountains, as the scene clears following the fall of rain. The painting is currently housed and
managed by the Ho-am Art Museum in Yongin.
Interspace/Meditation by Lee Dong-Youb(2003)
Lee Dong-Youb was born in 1946. He held his first solo exhibition in 1977 at
the Seoul Gallery, whose founder was also Lee’s father-in-law. He is
considered by art historians to be a leading figure of the Korean abstract
painting movement. Lee’s work is driven by his personal view of what the
post-modernist artistic landscape should look like.
Interspace/Meditation by Lee Dong-Youb(2003)
The most prominent themes of his work are
the cyclic nature of resonance, symbiosis of
elements, and dynamic interplay of the
environment and the state of the original
being.
ARTIST Lee Dong-Youb

YEAR 2003

MEDIUM Acrylic on canvas

DIMENSIONS 160 cm x 160 cm