Donggwoldo
Encyclopedia
Donggwoldo is a representative Korean painting
of the early 19th century, depicting the two royal palaces, Changdeokgung
and Changgyeonggung
during the Joseon Dynasty
. Donggwol is an alternative name of Changdeokgung, located to the East of the main royal palace of the dynasty, Gyeongbokgung
. However, the picture also includes Changgyeonggung, an adjacent palace to the former.
perspective captures the whole scape of the palaces surrounded by mountains and hills from a right top angle. Two versions of the same picture have survived to the present; one with a width of 583 cm and a height of 274 cm is stored in Korea University
Museum, while the other with a width of 576 cm and a height of 273 is in Dong-A University
Museum. Donggwoldo is designated as the 249th National Treasure of South Korea.
Donggwoldo is on a folding screen
(byeongpung) made of paper, silk and wood. The creation date is presumed to be between 1826 and 1830 given the fact that it depicts the "Jeonsa" [pavilion], installed in the 26th year of King Sunjo
, and "Gyeongbokjeon" [pavilion], demolished in the 30th year of the same king. The author is unknown but presumed to be a royal painter from Dohwaseo, the governmental office in charge of paintings during the period. The [painting] itself is regarded more as a significant source for the research on Korean royal palaces rather than for its artistic values. Since the [picture] is visually more detailed than other similar paintings, such as Donggwoldohyeong (東闕圖形) and Gunggwolji (宮闕志), it serves well as historical evidence and provides many clues to studies on building arrangements and features during that period.
Korean painting
Korean 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...
of the early 19th century, depicting the two royal palaces, Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Because of its location east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung, with Changgyeonggung,...
and Changgyeonggung
Changgyeonggung
Changgyeong Palace is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. Originally the Summer Palace of the Goryeo Emperor, it later became one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty....
during the Joseon Dynasty
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...
. Donggwol is an alternative name of Changdeokgung, located to the East of the main royal palace of the dynasty, Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty...
. However, the picture also includes Changgyeonggung, an adjacent palace to the former.
Features
The picture from a bird's-eye viewBird's-eye view
A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird, often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans and maps.It can be an aerial photograph, but also a drawing...
perspective captures the whole scape of the palaces surrounded by mountains and hills from a right top angle. Two versions of the same picture have survived to the present; one with a width of 583 cm and a height of 274 cm is stored in Korea University
Korea University
Korea University is a prestigious nonsectarian, private research university located primarily in Seoul, South Korea, and one of the SKY universities, a historical acronym used in South Korea to refer to Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. Founded by Lee Yong-ik in...
Museum, while the other with a width of 576 cm and a height of 273 is in Dong-A University
Dong-A University
Dong-A University is a major private university in Korea. The university's campuses are based in Greater Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea. About 19,000 students are enrolled...
Museum. Donggwoldo is designated as the 249th National Treasure of South Korea.
Donggwoldo is on a folding screen
Folding Screen
A folding screen , is a piece of free-standing furniture which consists of several frames or panels connected by hinges. It can be made in a variety of designs and with different kinds of materials. Screens have many practical and decorative uses...
(byeongpung) made of paper, silk and wood. The creation date is presumed to be between 1826 and 1830 given the fact that it depicts the "Jeonsa" [pavilion], installed in the 26th year of King Sunjo
Sunjo of Joseon
Sunjo was the 23rd king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty.He was born His Royal Highness Prince Yi Gong, the 2nd son of King Jeongjo by his concubine, Lady Subin....
, and "Gyeongbokjeon" [pavilion], demolished in the 30th year of the same king. The author is unknown but presumed to be a royal painter from Dohwaseo, the governmental office in charge of paintings during the period. The [painting] itself is regarded more as a significant source for the research on Korean royal palaces rather than for its artistic values. Since the [picture] is visually more detailed than other similar paintings, such as Donggwoldohyeong (東闕圖形) and Gunggwolji (宮闕志), it serves well as historical evidence and provides many clues to studies on building arrangements and features during that period.
See also
- UigweUigweUigwe is a collection of royal protocols of the Korean Joseon Dynasty which records and prescribes through text and stylized illustration the important ceremonies and rites of the royal family....
, a collection of royal protocols of the Joseon Dynasty - IrworobongdoIrworobongdoIrworobongdo is a Korean folding screen with a highly stylized landscape painting of a sun and moon, five peaks which always was set behind Eojwa, the king’s royal throne during the Joseon Dynasty. It literally means "Painting of the Sun, Moon and the Five Peaks" and is also called "Irwoldo" or...
, a Korean folding screen with a stylized landscape painting - Geumgang jeondo, a Korean landscape painting of Geumgang mountain
- Inwang jesaekdo, a Korean landscape painting of Inwang mountain
Future readings
- Han, Yeong-u. (2007) 동궐도 Donggwoldo, Painting of Eastern Palace (in Korean), Hyohyung Publishing Co. ISBN 9788958720416
External links
- Donggwoldo, exhibited for public for the first time at The Dong-a Ilbo