Tiger/leopard and magpie painting

Consisting of ink, colours and gold paint on paper, this image represents a typical subject of folk paintings (Korean: minhwa) of 19th century Korea - tiger and magpie. Set under a pine tree, the tiger is depicted in movement, looking back with an open mouth and a fierce expression at the magpie that is flying above the tiger. Gold paint was used for the bulging eyes; red was used for the snout, mouth and areas around the eyes. The fur of the tiger has a leopard-pattern but was considered to represent a tiger. Only the paws and legs are outlined; the fur was indicated with thin, fine brushstrokes creating texture. The needles of the pine tree were painted in multiple layers. Much attention was given to the detailed facial features and expressions of the tiger and the magpie. The painting is mounted on a vertical hanging scroll of Korean traditional paper (Korean: hanji). Decorative papercuts in the shape of butterflies were attached to the border of the mount.