Painting of Ten Longevity Symbols on Ten-panel Folding Screen

This painting includes ten components that symbolize “longevity”such as the sun, clouds, mountains, water, pine trees, tortoises, deer, cranes, peaches, elixir of immortality, and rocks. The excellent composition and brushstrokes create a fantastic atmosphere on the screens. In addition, thick, vi brant colors complete the luxuriousness and elegance of the royal painting. Bearing wishes for long and healthy lives of the royal family, the folding screens were placed behind the queen or the crown prince during palace banquets for weddings and the 60th birthday of a royal member. The ten longevity symbols originate from Chinese Taoism, but it is presumed that it was Koreans who selected the ten symbols and created a type of painting as an independent theme. The National Palace Museum of Korea has an eight-panel folding screen and a ten-panel folding screen, bearing similarities in overall perspective.