metmuseum.org

Arts of Korea - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Arts of Korea

Smith, Judith, ed., with Chung Yang-mo, Ahn Hwi-joon, Yi Song-mi, Kim Lena, Kim Hongnam, Pak Youngsook, and Jonathan W. Best

This title is out of print.

Of all the cultural and artistic traditions of East Asia, those of Korea have received the least attention in the West. This volume, along with the major exhibition it accompanies, examines the most significant developments in the history of Korean art, from the Neolithic period to the nineteenth century, through outstanding examples of Korea's artistic achievements. Written by leading Korean art scholars and drawing upon the latest research in Korean art studies, the hook examines stylistic characteristics and technical innovations in four major areas: ceramics, Buddhist sculpture, painting, metalwork and decorative arts. Attention is given to the political, social, and cultural conditions that led to the creation of the works of art. in particular the Korean peninsula's external relationships and interchanges with China on the continental mainland to the north and west and with the Japanese archipelago to the south.

The exhibition, the first comprehensive display of masterworks of Korean art presented in the Unified States in nearly twenty years, was organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art to coincide with the opening of the Museum's new, permanent Arts of Korea Gallery drawn from the collections of The National Museum of Korea, important private collections in Korea, Japan, and the United States, and the Metropolitan Museum's own holdings, the works in the exhibition represent the finest examples of Korean art in all major media. They have been chosen on the basis of their place in the historical development of Korean art. their manifestation of important changes in technique and style, and their representation of Korean aesthetics.

During the past two decades, significant advancements in art historical scholarship in Korea and new archaeological discoveries throughout the peninsula have led to a more thorough and critical assessment of Korean art. This scholarly publication will bring to the Western audience a greater awareness and understanding of the very special and distinctive cultural and artistic legacy of Korea.

Illustrated manuscript of the Lotus Sutra (Miaofa lianhua jing), Volume 2, Unidentified artist (mid-14th century), Accordion-fold book; gold and silver on indigo-dyed mulberry paper, Korea — Unidentified artist
ca. 1340

Bird-shaped vessel, Earthenware, Korea — Korea
3rd century

Double-handled vessel, Stoneware, Korea — Korea
5th–6th century

Bottle with flattened side
, Stoneware with accidental wood-ash glaze, Korea — Korea
9th or 10th century

Gourd-shaped ewer decorated with waterfowl and reeds, Stoneware with carved and incised design under celadon glaze, Korea — Korea
early 12th century

Maebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and clouds, Stoneware with inlaid design under celadon glaze, Korea — Korea
late 13th century

Wine cup with ear handles, Porcelain, Korea — Korea
15th century

Jar with grapevine decoration
, Porcelain with underglaze copper-red design, Korea — Korea
mid-18th century

Earring (one of a pair), Gold, Korea — Korea
6th century

Earring (one of pair), Gold, Korea — Korea
5th century

Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums
, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea — Korea
ca.12th century

Amitabha triad, Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk, Korea — Unidentified artist
ca. 13th century

Water-moon Avalokiteshvara
, Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Korea — Unidentified artist
first half of the 14th century

Amitabha and Kshitigarba, Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Korea — Unidentified artist
first half of the 14th century

Jeong, Yang mo, Judith G. Smith, Yangmo Chung, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Arts of Korea Gallery, eds. 2000. Arts of Korea: On the Occasion of the Opening of the Arts of Korea Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Inaugural Exhibition Arts of Korea, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, June 9, 1998 - January 24, 1999. 3. printing. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.