Danwon
Encyclopedia
Kim Hong-do, better known as Danwon (1745–c. 1806), was a painter of the late Joseon period
. A member of the Gimhae
Kim
clan, he grew up in present-day Ansan, South Korea
, where he was taught by Pyoam Kang Sehwang
, one of the most famous calligraphers of the day. He entered royal service as a member of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court, and drew the portrait of King Jeongjo
.
Danwon is known as the first Korean painter to extensively portray Korean daily life, in a manner analogous to the Dutch Masters. Because of this, his paintings today are valued almost as much for the insight they shed on daily life in Joseon as for their inherent aesthetic value.
Danwon is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons," together with Hyewon
and Owon
. He is also often joined to Owon and the 15th century painter An Gyeon as one of Joseon's three greatest painters.
Danwon's works are still widely treasured today. The city of Ansan, where he spent his youth and learned his craft, has memorialized him in many ways. The district of Danwon-gu
is named after him, as is Ansan's annual "Danwon Art Festival." Many public places have been designed in imitation of his works.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. A member of the Gimhae
Gimhae
Gimhae, also commonly spelled Kimhae, is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Gimhae is known to locals as "The Paris of Gyeongsangnamdo." It is the seat of the large Gimhae Kim clan, one of the largest Kim clans in Korea...
Kim
Kim (Korean name)
Kim, sometimes spelled Gim, is the most common family name in Korea. The name is common in both modern-day North Korea and South Korea. The hanja used for the name means "gold," and although the character is usually pronounced 금 geum, it is pronounced 김 gim when used for the family name and...
clan, he grew up in present-day Ansan, South Korea
Ansan
Ansan is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies south of Seoul, and is part of the Seoul National Capital Area. It is connected to Seoul by rail via Seoul Subway Line 4....
, where he was taught by Pyoam Kang Sehwang
Kang Sehwang
Gang Se-hwang was not only a high government official but also a representative painter and calligrapher and art critic of the mid Joseon period. He was born in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do as son of Kang Hyeon. He entered royal service over his sixty years old...
, one of the most famous calligraphers of the day. He entered royal service as a member of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court, and drew the portrait of King Jeongjo
Jeongjo of Joseon
King Jeongjo was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He made various attempts to reform and improve the nation of Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo and succeeded by his son King Sunjo...
.
Danwon is known as the first Korean painter to extensively portray Korean daily life, in a manner analogous to the Dutch Masters. Because of this, his paintings today are valued almost as much for the insight they shed on daily life in Joseon as for their inherent aesthetic value.
Danwon is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons," together with Hyewon
Hyewon
Shin Yun-bok, better known by his pen name Hyewon, was a Korean painter of the Joseon Dynasty. Like his contemporaries Danwon and Geungjae, he is known for his realistic depictions of daily life in his time. His genre paintings are distinctly more erotic than Danwon's, a fact which contributed to...
and Owon
Owon
Jang Seung-eop , was a painter of the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea. His life was dramatized in the award-winning 2002 film Chi-hwa-seon directed by Im Kwon-taek. He was one of the few painters to hold a position of rank in the Joseon court.Growing up as an orphan, Owon learned painting while...
. He is also often joined to Owon and the 15th century painter An Gyeon as one of Joseon's three greatest painters.
Danwon's works are still widely treasured today. The city of Ansan, where he spent his youth and learned his craft, has memorialized him in many ways. The district of Danwon-gu
Danwon-gu
-Administrative divisions:Danwon-gu is divided into the following "dong"s.*Wa-dong*Hosu-dong*Gojan 1 and 2 Dong*Wongok 1 and 2 Dong*Seonbu 1 to 3 Dong...
is named after him, as is Ansan's annual "Danwon Art Festival." Many public places have been designed in imitation of his works.
See also
- Danwon pungsokdo cheopDanwon pungsokdo cheopDanwon pungsokdo cheop is an album of genre painting drawn by Kim Hongdo during the late Joseon dynasty. It was named after Kim's pen name, Danwon and comprises the 25 paintings in total. The album is painted with light watercolor on hanji...
- Korean paintingKorean paintingKorean painting includes paintings made in Korea or by overseas Koreans on all surfaces. It includes art as old as the petroglyphs through post-modern conceptual art using transient forms of light...
- List of Korean painters
- Korean artKorean artKorean art is art originating or practiced in Korea or by Korean artists, from ancient times to today. Korea is noted for its artistic traditions in pottery, music, calligraphy, and other genres, often marked by the use of bold color, natural forms, and surface decoration.-Introduction:The earliest...