Korean Art

Korean artwork goes a long way back - with the first samples having been found in in Goguryeo in South Manchuria back in 3rd century, as well as in Gyeongju’s capital city of Silla, in 6th century. Depending on era and territory, Korean artists were focusing on shape dynamics and rhythmicity of their works, as well as meditativeness and attention to detail. With the rise of Buddhism, Korean artwork marched into its Golden Age. Korean artists of that period have been creating amazing temple frescos and illustrations for Buddhist manuscripts, portraits of contemporaries, and paintings with the depiction of “four gentlemen of flowers” – flowers of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, which is a national trademark. Throughout centuries, Korean art has been evolving, bringing more thought and dynamics at the same time from such masters, as Jeon Seon, Shin Yun-bok, and Kim Hong-do, who have made incredibly clear depictions of the way people lived in their times.