Old Monk under a Pine Tree

This painting is titled “Old Monk under a Pine Tree.” The monk is sitting right on a flat rock and appears to be in deep thought. Kim Hong-do left a few paintings of the old monk, and these paintings have been analyzed as a result of his wish to pass away peacefully and go to heaven when he was old. The description of the lines made for the person seems to consider the changes in shading in order to express a flexible and soft touch, but it was not effective enough when it was drawn on the silk background. However, the description of the curves on the pine tree and the expression of the rich pine needles display the bold brushstrokes of Kim Hong-do. This work elegantly expresses the feature of an old monk in the spiritual state of perfect selflessness, with a subtle and serene style that shows the maturity of Kim Hong-do’s painting style in his later years.