국립중앙박물관 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

Past Thematic
Yi Gyeong-yun and Paintings in 17th century, Joseon Dynasty
  • Location

    Painting gallery in the Calligraphy and Painting section, 2F

  • Date

    Aug-23-2011 ~ Dec-18-2011

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ㅇItems on display: 26 pieces including "Landscape Painting attributed to Yi Gyeong-yun"

 

Yi Gyeong-yun (1545-1611) was a painter of the Joseon royal lineage, the eldest son of Yi Geol (1525-1593), the great-grandson of King Seongjong (r.1469-1494). He was famous for landscape painting in the Zhe School style during the mid Joseon Dynasty.


Most of Yi Gyeong-yun's extant paintings do not have signatures and seals, so his authentic paintings are rare; many paintings are simply attributed to the hand of Yi Gyeong-yun. However, Yi is considered a significant artist who played an essential role in the establishment of the Zhe School painting style imported from China to Joseon. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Yi's death, this exhibition displays his artworks along with paintings by his younger brother, Yi Yeong-yun (1561-1611), and his son, Yi Jing (1581-after 1674).

 

 

 

Landscape, Yi Gyeong-yun (attributed), color on silk, 91.8x59.4

The inclined figures of the mountain peaks and rocks in the background and the contrast between black and white display a strong influence from the Chinese Zhe School.

 

 

A Moonlit Night Stroll Around a Pine Hill, Yi Gyeong-yun (attributed), color on silk

The representation of the comparatively large human figure in the foreground, a typical element from the Zhe School, displays a painting style that is characteristic of the mid Joseon Period.

 

A Sage Washing His Feet, Yi Gyeong-yun (attributed), color on silk, 43.5x32.2

This painting captures a sage dipping his feet in water. The scene is related with the tradition of idealizing the hermit's life, which is best represented in “A Fisherman’s Song,” a poem attributed to Qu Yuan (ca. 343 - 277 BCE), where the poet ‘washed the hat string if the river water is clean, and feet if it is not clean enough.’

 

Evening Bell from a Temple in Smoke, Yi Jing, color wash on silk, 103.9x55.1

This is one of the eight works that depicts the eight views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers. This landscape features the contrast between black and white, an influence from the Zhe School, and the gentle curves of the mountains, “mossy dots,” and tender brush strokes that characterize the works of Yi Jing.