Skip to main content

Featured

Hanji (한지)

Briefly looking at the history of paper, Meng-Yeom(몽염) first developed paper in the Qin Dynasty of China( 진나라, 중국) , and the paper production technology improved by Cai Lun (채륜) in the Later Han Dynasty was introduced to the Korean Peninsular in 105 AD. It is presumed that Hanji (한지) was already used in the Korean Peninsular before Chae Ryun improved paper. Hanji (한지) has been widely recognized for its excellent quality since ancient times. Despite its subtle and soft color, it had the toughness not to tear easily, and it was thin and light, but it was well ventilated and absorbs moisture well, so it was suitable for writing and painting.  It has excellent light-emitting power that makes even the strongest sunlight transparent. Hanji is made from mulberry trees, oats (fixed pater), and mulberry trees, as well as hemp and grasses (bamboo, rice straw, and reeds). Paper making process Mulberry harvest - November~ December cut the first year branches of mulberry trees low. In the ...
Read more

Chochung-Do (plants and insects)

Hwajo-Do is mainly drawn with flowers and birds, Chochung-Do is mainly drawn with flowers and insects such as bees and butterflies.

Chochung-Do by Shin,Saimdang (1504~1551), a Joseon female painter, is famous.




 A pair of playful field mice and a butterfly flying leisurely above them seem intoxicated by the scent of dianthus flowers. 

The dianthus flower on the right is called Seokjuk hwa , and its leaves and stems are always green, symbolizing youth that never ages. 

Butterflies symbolize the love and harmony of a young couple, so they are used as decorations in the newlyweds' room. 

In the 12 zodiac signs mentioned in the article below, the rat is the same Chinese character as the son, meaning a child. A watermelon with many seeds means prosperity, and a mouse means fertility.

There was no eraser and paper was precious during the Joseon Dynasty. It is a picture drawn with a single stroke of ink and a sheet of Korean paper, and the grass and insects observed in the middle of the yard.

( Shin, Saimdang, a female painter of Joseon. I will write the story of this painter in this Blog)


            
( Currently, there is a picture of this person on Korea's largest high-denomination banknote)

There is a painter Jeong, Seon(1676~1759) who is famous for his true-view landscape during the Joseon Dynasty. I will also write the story of Jeong, Seon in detain in this Blog.



Chrysanthemum and cat, Jeong, Seon's meticulous observation and ability to portray the real thing are revelated without regret. 

One warm autumn day, in a garden with light purple chrysanthemums, a black cat with golden eyes is carefully watching a grasshopper. 

Cat, grasshopper, and chrysanthemum petals were depicted in detail, just like the real thing, but chrysanthemum stems and leaves were briefly described.



A pair of field mice are stealing and eating a large watermelon. Jeong, Seon's amazing power of observation can be seen in the depiction of the field mouse as if it were alive, Indigo plant with red leaves and blue moonflower are drawn to add variety.





Red dianthus flower are blooming in the cucumber field in midsummer, and a frog is looking up at a fluttering butterfly next to a large cucumber. The dark green of the cucumber and frog and the red of the dianthus create a contrast yet match each other, it is a lovely picture.

Minhwa was painted by depicting the wonderful paintings of these artists as they are.

                                                    ( Ahn, Eun J. 2019)

                                ( Ahn, Eun J. 2019)



Popular Posts