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Choson Palace Painting (One of Pair) browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Korean: Pre 1900: item # 171939 Please refer to our stock # 53-27 when inquiring.
Silk Road Gallery PO Box 2175 Branford, Connecticut 06405, USA (203) 208-0771 Guest Book SOLD |
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| Signed and sealed by Korean painter Tea Yok, this finely detailed work is one of a pair of paintings that depict scenes in a palace courtyard during Korea's Choson (Yi Dynasty) Period (1392-1910). Dated to circa 1870, this painting and its companion piece have delicate calligraphy that relates to a theme of filial honor. Tucked into the painting next to the palace scenes, the calligraphy is in the Chinese characters that educated Koreans continued to use many years after simplified Hangul became Korea's official written language. While the calligraphy offers interesting insight into the importance in Korea of the Confucian principle of filial honor, the visual appeal of these paintings is in the lively and colorful vignettes of Choson Period palace life. Robes in still-vibrant reds, blues and greens give prominence to the people and their activities. In the scene at the top of this painting, a mother bravely sets out to search for food for her children. She is carried by a white, ghostlike character and appears to be pursued by outlaws. Translation of the calligraphy next to this and several other scenes provides only hints about the action depicted. This most likely is a tableau from a legend. In the middle of the painting on the right side, a noblewoman approaches an ancestor sculpture displayed on a table, and her late father appears before her, presumably a happy event. The theme is continued on the bottom scene showing a nobleman greeting a vision of his late mother. They stand among blossoming plum trees, symbol of longevity and an early end to winter. The painting and its companion piece are ink and strong color on paper, matted in beige silk and framed in wood, Asian-style frames. This painting is in good condition, and shows damage only in a small area of calligraphy at the top (see enlargement). Dimensions including mat and frame: height 53" (135 cm), width 18 1/2" (47 cm), depth 1 1/4" (3 cm). Dimensions of painting only: height 47" (120 cm), width 11 3/4" (30 cm). | |||||||||||||
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