Wishes for Prosperity: Decorative Paintings of the Joseon Royal Court
Explore and learn about beautiful royal court decorative paintings of Korea
Imaginary Painting of Chinese Palaces on Ten-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Paintings were especially utilized in various spaces to express the wishes of the court and its dignity. A variety of formats existed, such as screens spread hebind the living spaces, paper sliding doors, and wall paintings drawn directly on the walls or oon silk or paper pasted on the wall.
Painting of the Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks on Six-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Six-Fold Screen of the Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks
Late 19th century – Early 20th century
The screen comprises of the subjects symbolic of the king's virtue and power such as the sun, moon, mountain peaks, water, and pine trees. As the main backdrop of Joseon kings, such images also represent the prosperity of the royal household.
Painting of Peonies on Four-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Eight-Fold Screen of Peonies and Rocks
Late 19th century – Early 20th century
At state-sponsored celebratory events, screen paintings of peonies and the ten longevity symbols were frequently set up to display the splendor and dignity of the royal court. Instead of being depicted realistically, the paintings of peonies displayed at court had exaggerated large blossoms painted in bright colors arranged schematically along the vertical picture plane. Being symbols of peace and prosperity, they were frequently used in solemn state rites such as the auspicious ceremonies.
Painting of Ten Longevity Symbols on Ten-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Ten-Fold Screen of the Ten Symbols of Longevity
Late 19th century – Early 20th century
The screen of Ten Longevity Symbols was also frequently displayed in the royal palaces. The ten longevity symbols consist of any ten of the sun, mountains, water, clouds, rocks, pine trees, tortoises, deer, cranes, bamboo, herbs of eternal youth, and peaches. Bearing wishes for long and healthy lives of the royal family, the screens were placed behind the queen or the crown prince uring palace banquets such as the wedding or the sixtieth birthday of a royal.
Set of Sliding Doors Decorated with Painting of Ten Longevity Symbols (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Sliding Doors' Set Decorated with Painting of Ten Longevity
Late 19th century - Early 20th century
In addition to screens, there were diverse formats of paintings in the palaces. The sliding doors between rooms were often decorated with auspicious symbols of the sun, moon, and five peaks, and the ten longevity symbols.
Painting of Shelves Full of Books on Ten-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Ten-Fold Screen of Shelves Full of Books
Late 19th century – Early 20th century
Screen paintings of bookshelves expressing the high esteem on scholarship were placed close to the king and the crown prince. Screen paintings of bookshelves form part of the still-life genre which also includes depictions of precious items such as stationary, flowers, fruits, vegetables and antique bronze vessels.
Painting of Shelves Full of Books on Ten-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Painting of Shelves Full of Books on Ten-panel Folding Scree
Late 19th century – Early 20th century
Among the folding screens on the theme of books and scholar’s accouterments were also those created in small scale to be placed behind a seat.
Painting of Books and Stationery on Six-panel Folding Screen (19th century~Early 20th century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Painting of Books and Stationery on Six-panel Folding Screen
Late 19th century – Early 20th century
This screen illustrates books and other scholarly items, including scrolls and brush holders, behind the curtains, all of which symbolize learning and appointment to a government post. It also depicts a wide variety of flowers and fruit to represent fecundity, wealth, fidelity, the Buddha, or the Daoist immortals.
Painting of Wild Geese and Reeds on Ten-panel Folding Screen (1905년) by Sketches by Yang Gihun (楊基薰, 1843-1919 or later)National Palace Museum of Korea
Ten-Fold Screen of Wild Geese and Reeds
Korean Empire, 1905
The Chinese characters for “no(蘆)” reeds and “an(雁)” geese sound similar to the characters for “no(老)” old age and “an(安)” wellbeing, and thus have the meaning of “happiness and health in old age”.
Wall painting in the Changdeok Palace (1920) by Noh, SuhyeonNational Palace Museum of Korea
The interior walls of the Joseon royal palaces were decorated with large-scale mural paintings produced by some of the greatest painters of the time.
Extra View of Manmul-Sang, Diamond Mountain Mural from Huijeongdang Hall, Changdeokgung Palace (Early 20th Century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Extra View of Manmul-Sang, Diamond Mountain Mural from Huijeongdaing Hall in Changdeokgung Palace
1920
This immense mural once adorned Huijeongdang Hall in Changdeokgung Palace. It depicts a magnificent vista of Geumgangsan Mountain with layers of jagged mountain peaks and thick forests. The clouds and mist shrouding the valley adds a mystical atmosphere.
Wonderful View of Chongseok-Jeong Mural from Huijeongdang Hall, Changdeokgung Palace (Early 20th Century)National Palace Museum of Korea
Superb Landscape of Chongseokjeong Pavilion from Huijeongdang Hall in Changdeokgung Palace
1920
This grand mural once decorated Huijeongdang Hall in Changdeokgung Palace. It depicts a breathtaking view over the Chongseokjeong Pavilion by the Haegeumgang River. The rows of magnificent, strange-looking rocks like a vast folding screen create an overwhelmining impression. The form and texture of each rock pillar are carefully depicted using slender but rough lines along with a combination of bright and dark colors. Please look for the small image of Chongseokjeong Pavilion situated over the line of stone pillars.
White Crane Mural from Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace (1920) by Kim Eunho (金殷鎬,1892-1979)National Palace Museum of Korea
White Cranes from Daejoseon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace
1920
This enormous mural once decorated Daejoseon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace. The depiction of sixteen white cranes flying towards or seated in pine trees creates a majestic impression. Also, this painting shows cranes, pine trees, lingzhi mushroom, rocks, water, and moon.
Phoenix Mural from Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace (1920) by Oh Il Young (吳一英, 1890-1960), Yi Yong-u (李用雨, 1902-1953)National Palace Museum of Korea
Phoenixes Mural from Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace
1920
This grand-scale mural was originally placed facing the painting White Cranes in Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace. Phoenixes, or bonghwang in Korean, were a favored theme in painting as mythical animals symbolizing the benevolent rule of a king animals and they have been a favored theme for painting since ancient times. In addition to phoenixes, peonies (representing wealth), trumpet lilies, and blue-green rocks add splendor to the painting.
