"Horyeopdo", an 18th-century 'byeongpung' painting publicly presented at the National Palace Museum of Korea

by Yun Ji Hyun / Cha Min Kyung

SEOUL, Feb.18(Yonhap) -- "Horyeopdo", which was purchased last year at a U.S. auction for around 1.1 billion won has been presented to the public at 10 a.m. on February 18. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation disclosed the painting at the National Palace Museum of Korea.

The title of the painting, "Horyeopdo" holds the meaning of northern barbarian people hunting; hence the eight-panel folding screen portrays a scene in which the emperor of the Qing dynasty enjoys hunting.  

The folding screen with "Horyeopdo" was originally owned by Dr. Kathleen J. Crane, a former professor at Ewha Womans University who also worked as a missionary in Korea from 1952 to 1987, according to the Overseas Foundation for Cultural Heritage. The painting was later bought by a private owner from Dr. Crane's family and submitted for auction. However, it is still remains unconfirmed as to how and when the work was taken to the United States.

"Horyeopdo" was drawn using eight silk-backed panels as a single canvas. It is highly praised for its artistic perfection and considered the best among the existing hunting scene paintings, due to its excellent landscape expression, well-organized composition, and exquisite depiction of human figures and animals. The first two panels from the right displays a bleak autumn scenery with fallen trees and a waterfall. In the third panel, women from the imperial family are seen riding a colorful palanquin while the fourth panel depicts men playing the bugle and pipe instrument.

The painting continues on the fifth and sixth panel where the Qing emperor is dressed in a blue robe with a white dragon design surrounded by men on horses with different poses. Lastly, the painting ends with the seventh and eight panels which feature hunters aiming at a tiger and deer with bows while others chase animals wielding spears.  

"Horyeopdo" was produced when King Jeongjo was the ruler of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Although the people of Joseon felt a sense of antagonism towards the Qing dynasty after being invaded twice by the Manchu forces in 1627 and 1636, when the Chinese culture started to influence Korea, people started to take interest in Qing China.

It is noted that the concept of "Horyeopdo" was first painted by Kim Hong-do, one of the acclaimed painters of the Joseon dynasty. However, most of the folding screen paintings present are in the style of folk painting. In contrast, the returned "Horyeopdo" showcases elaborate interpretations of landscapes and human figures that are similar to earlier paintings. The artwork is expected to inspire further research on this style of painting and be widely used in education as well.

The "Horyeopdo" is exhibited from Feb. 18 at the Paintings and Calligraphy of Joseon Royal Court Gallery in the National Palace Museum of Korea. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation are making efforts to identify more historical artifacts and cultural heritage in order to provide more opportunities for people to learn and enjoy Korean culture.  

yjh@yna.co.kr

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