Catalog (42)

Painting of Scholar Under Moonlit Plum Blossoms by Park No Soo aka Nam Jeong (1927-2013). Just the first page of a google search reveals both the renown that Park No Soo enjoyed internationally, and the adoration he received locally in Korea. His minimal style and palette is instantly recognizable, and this beautiful, contemplative painting is a fine example of his inimitable, expressive brushwork, from the silvery-blue sliver of a moon, to the unique rendering of orchids and rocks. The orchid is an ancient symbol of virtue, and the rocks symbolize eternity. The combination had great meaning to Korean scholars, as it symbolized eternal devotion to your principles. The plum blossoms are a symbol of courage, because they bloom early, before winter is finished. The Park No Soo Museum opened in 2013 in Seoul's Jongno District, Jongno's first public museum. Park No Soo was a student of Yi Sang Beom, who was a student of An Jung Sik, who was a student of Jang Seung Eop, the very best possible lineage of Korean art royalty. Watercolors on paper. Frame: 23 x 18.5 inches, 58.5 x 47 cm; Painting: 13.5 x 9 inches, 34.25 x 23 cm.

Beautifully Framed Zen Buddhist Painting of a Pair of Cranes Flying Past the Moon by the Famous Korean Jeju Island Monk, Ko Chang Nyul aka Jung Kwang Sunim aka the Mad Monk (1935-2002). The third photo here is from a prominent dealer's "sale" going on right now on Jung Kwang paintings, where you will see the prices are several times higher than mine. This other gallery has been in business for over forty years and has sold to many of the major museums. A google search of Jung Kwang Mad Monk will reveal the fascinating life of this character, and you'll find this movie about him (http://www.piff.org/eng/html/archive/arc_search_view.asp?idx=1314&target=search&c_idx=18&m_entry_year=2002) and this exhibition at the Seoul Art Center (http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20110807000244) and this book (http://www.amazon.com/The-Mad-Monk-Paintings-Lancaster-Miller/dp/0895810174) and more. He and his work have been featured on CNN, PBS, NHK, and other major broadcasters. He was a famous monk, artist, poet, and actor. His unique paintings are instantly recognizable by their zen approach to form and color. Please look closely at this painting to get a sense of the spiritual quality of the artist's brushwork. The crane is an ancient symbol of longevity. It has further symbolic meaning in Buddhism. The bodhisattvas change themselves into cranes so that they can fly all over the world visiting and helping people. The moon is also an ancient symbol of longevity in Korea. When cranes are paired like this, they further symbolize eternal love, as cranes were believed to mate forever. Ink and color on paper. The buyer of this fine painting will receive a PDF file compilation of Jung Kwang Sunim's poems, and a bio. You'll laugh and cry when you read "Zen Poems 1". The recent exhibition of Jung Kwang Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Jung Kwang Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. The fourth photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $2500 for a painting of similar style and slightly smaller size by Jung Kwang Sunim. Frame: 33.5 x 21.5 inches (85 x 55 cm), Painting: 25.75 x 13.5 inches (65.5 x 34 cm).

Pair of Cranes Painting and Poem by Korean Buddhist Monk Su An Sunim (born 1940). The crane is a an ancient symbol of longevity and immortality. Because cranes were believed to stay with one mate for their lifetime, it is also a symbol of faithful love. When the crane is paired like this, the meanings of immortality and fidelity combine to mean eternal love. The flying-white brushwork and ink washes here display Su An Sunim's mastery of zen art at its best. The recent exhibition of Su An Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Su An Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. Ink and colors on paper. 27 x 14 inches, 69 x 35 cm. The second photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $2000 for a similar painting. That painting is smaller than the Su An painting we are offering here.

Pair of 19th Century Korean Hunting Paintings. Unique to Korea, hunting paintings always depict hunters in Mongolian attire. Koreans had great admiration for Mongolian archery and equestrian skills. Ink and colors on paper. Frame: 46 x 22 inches (171 x 56 cm), 34 x 16 inches (86 x 41 cm).

Orchids and Rocks Painting by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921). Orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue. The rock symbolizes eternity, so the combination of orchids and rock have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle. The orchid grows in remote places, but its fragrance spreads over the land, just as the scholar often works in isolation, but through their scholarly and ethical works their influence is felt throughout the land. Talented painters of orchids were and still are held in the highest regard. Though Daewongun (Prince Yi Ha Eung) is often cited as the greatest painter of orchids, most scholars now agree it was Kim Eung Won who was creating many of the paintings for which Prince Daewongun took credit and which Daewongun signed. Daewongun was, of course, a great painter of orchids, but most agree now that Kim Eung Won may deserve the title of greatest. His paintings sell for a fraction of the price of Daewongun's paintings, at least for now. That can be expected to change as the general public catches up with the scholarship on the subject. The second photo here is from a sale at another gallery where the prices on much smaller and simpler paintings by Kim Eung Won are double the price we are asking here for this larger and finer painting. Ink on paper. 54 x 14 inches, 137.5 x 35.5 cm unmounted. (A much smaller Daewongun painting sold at Christie's for $12,500 on March 18, 2014).

Only Pair of Korean Enlightened Saints (Nahan) Paintings Ever Offered for Sale. Set in beautiful landscapes, the Nahan on the right has subdued a demon who is supplicating before him. 18th Century. Colors on paper. 30 x 13.5 inches, 76 x 34 cm each.

Oil Painting by Park Deuk Soon (1910 - 1990), signed and dated 1949, with original frame. Park Deuk Soon studied in Tokyo with Ryohei Koizo and graduated from the Pacific Fine Arts School in 1938. He exhibited often at the National Art Exhibition and the Chosun Art Exhibition. He was also an educator and an active member of the Kukjeon, and served for a time as President of the Korean Painters Association. Frame: 23.5 x 19 inches, 59 x 48 cm; Painting: 17 x 12.25 inches, 43 x 31 cm.

New Life Woodblock Print on Traditional Hanji Paper by Hong Sung Dam in 1982 (29 x 20 inches, 74 x 51 cm, including margins). Hong Sung Dam is a woodblock print artist who was a leader of the minjung, the peoples' political movement that arose from the ashes of the Gwangju Massacre where the Korean government slaughtered hundreds (some witnesses say thousands) of their own citizens in the streets in response to demonstrations in Gwangju. He was arrested in 1989, and suffered brutal torture in prison. He was released in 1992 after a three-year-long campaign by Amnesty International. After the subsequent democratization of Korea, Hong was commissioned by the government in 1996 to create the large (120 feet) Minjung Mural in Gwangju. Early minjung art is much sought after, and Hong Sung Dam is one of the most revered and acclaimed minjung artists. He donated much of his early work, so opportunities to buy are very infrequent (practically non-existent, actually). So we are very pleased to offer this rare collection of woodblock prints on traditional hanji paper by Hong Sung Dam that were created before his imprisonment, hidden from authorities by his friends, and donated to Amnesty International after their successful effort to get him released from prison. Own a piece of history and a beautiful work of art from a man who grew up in poverty (on the island of Haui) and illness (severe tuberculosis as a youth) to become an inspiring artist who gave his life to his art and his people.

Very Large, Nearly Five-Feet-Wide Mountain and Waterfall by Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001) in it's original stunning frame. Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. In this original and very large signed lithograph, Unbo gives us an inspiring depiction of blue-green mountains with a mountaintop lake and waterfall. Frame: 56.25 x 38.5 inches, 143 x 98 cm; Image: 44 x 26.5 inches, 111.5 x 67 cm.

Painting of Monkey Reaching for the Moon's Reflection in the Water by Renowned Korean Buddhist Monk and Painter Su An Sunim (born 1940), from the ancient Buddhist parable of the monkey reaching for the moon's reflection in the water. The recent exhibition of Su An Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Su An Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. Ink and colors on paper. 52.5 x 13 inches, 133 x 33 cm. The third photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $2000 for a similar painting. That painting is much smaller than the Su An painting we are offering here.

Lilac Fan Painting by Jeon Yeong Suk aka Yeo Cheong (1960 - ). The lilac is an ancient symbol of peace and harmony. 21 x 6.5 inches, 53.5 x 16.5 cm. This, along with our Stock Numbers 1319 and 1320, is part of a set of three fan flower paintings by Jeon Yeong Suk.

Large Artist's Proof of Munjado Calligraphy by the Famous Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001). Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. This is the original signed AP (Artist's Proof) of this large lithograph, where Unbo gives us a most creative rendering with anthropomorphic figures in the ancient style of figurative munjado calligraphy. 38.5 x 28.5 inches, 98 x 72.5 cm.

Prominently displayed on the wall of the Sejong Room of Korea's Presidential Residence (The Blue House) is a painting by Lim Ok Sang (born 1950). The painting here from 2019 is large at 50 x 49 inches (127 x 124.5 cm), and the beautiful frame chosen by the artist is 56.5 x 55.5 inches (143.5 x 141 cm). Two similar examples of paintings in ink and soil can be seen in the catalogue of Lim Ok Sang's retrospective exhibition currently at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. Lim Ok Sang (born 1950) graduated from École d’art d’Angoulême, Angoulême in France and taught for ten years at Jeonju University. He has had numerous solo exhibitions in Korea and America, and has been featured in many international shows, including the Venice Biennale. His work is in the collections of the Korea National Museum, Seoul Museum of Art, Samsung Museum, the Denver Art Museum, and other major museums. Lim Ok Sang is celebrated as one of the leading artists of the Minjung movement in Korea. He was one of the founders of the important critical journal, Reality and Utterance, that coincided with the beginning of the Minjung movement. Lim is an artist adept at poignant expression of the nature of mortality, the vulnerability and plight of the individual and humanity. The emphasis of his work has been not only to speak out against injustice and the forces of destruction, but to make one aware of the value of life and the importance of preserving and caring for the environment in which we live.

A Fine and Old Painting of Dokseong, Korea's Hermit Saint in a most beautiful landscape. This gorgeous painting has a phenomenal dark patina that could only have developed through years of ritual use and adds greatly to the contemplative beauty and serenity of this very special work of art. Dokseong is pictured in an inspiring remote mountain forest, a Daoist style landscape where he seeks solitude and self-cultivation. His attire is that of a Buddhist monk. He is revered by Buddhists and Shamans. Paintings of Dokseong are the most constant companions of Sansin (Mountain God) paintings in the Sansin-gak Shrine of Buddhist temples in Korea. Some temples even give Dokseong his own shrine, the Dokseong-gak. There is an old inscription at the bottom of the painting. Frame: 34.75 x 26 inches (88 x 66 cm), Painting: 29.75 x 21 inches (75.5 x 53.5 cm).

Korean Village Life, a Beautiful Oil Painting by Won Hyeok Pak, 1966, original frame. It comes with a 1966 letter to one of his patrons, where he explains his artistic ideas. He includes a photo of this painting with the letter, and a photo of a portrait he created of the patron, and photos of some of his other paintings. A rare and gorgeous piece of mid-20th Century Korean art and history. It captures a way of life and type of dress at a time that it was at its very end. Frame: 20 x 16 inches, 51 x 41 cm; 15 x 11, 38 x 28 cm.

A fine example of a Joseon Dynasty Korean tiger hunting painting, that makes use of the best quality pigments and finest silk, and is rendered with the highest level of artistry and skill, likely by a painter from the royal court. A similar painting recently sold at auction in Korea for $5500. Unique to Korea, almost all Korean hunting paintings depict hunters in Mongolian costume. In spite of the Mongols' brutal occupation of Korea in the 13th Century, Koreans maintained great admiration for Mongolian hunting and equestrian skills. This painting is one of a pair. The other painting is on this website (Stock #1186). Scroll: 50 x 17 inches (127 x 43 cm); Painting: 27 x 13 inches (68.5 x 33 cm).

Geese and Reeds Painting (Noando) on fine silk mounted on luxurious gold silk by Yang Ki Hun aka Seokyeon (1843-1897) from Pyeongyang, signed Seokyeon. Yang Ki Hun's signature 'boneless' style (painting without outlines, using ink washes) beautifully captures light and shade. The literal meaning of 'noando' is reed and geese painting, but it is a play on words, as 'no' means both reed and old, and 'an' means both geese and comfort ('do' means painting). So 'noan' can mean 'reed and geese' or 'old comfort', and so a painting of geese and reeds symbolized a wish for a comfortable and peaceful old age. This particular painting has further meaning because it depicts two pair of geese. Geese were believed to mate for life, so this painting symbolizes eternal love, and the wish for a couple to grow old together in peace and comfort. Yang Ki Hun was a member of the Royal Academy of Painting in the 19th Century. He made a living by painting for the king and his court, and also by selling his paintings in Pyeongyang. Here are two great quotes from Yang Ki Hun's contemporary, the painter and calligrapher Chi Un Yeong (aka Paekryeon): "Yang Ki Hun's paintings stir up my jealousy because they seem completely freed from all ideas and restraints". And after Seokyeon (Yang Ki Hun) passed away, Chi Un Yeong wrote, "Seokyeon told me that when he stayed on Neungna Island for a few years some time ago, he often saw geese fly in and land on a reed field, so he was able to paint them in a realistic way. His words still linger vividly in my ears. I remember playing with him thirty years ago in the Taedong River, and it seems so far away and dream-like." Ink on paper. Silk Mounting: 76 x 19.5 inches, 193 x 49.5 cm; Painting: 44 x 14 inches, 112 x 35.5 cm. The fifth photo here shows the market price for Yang Ki Hun paintings, which is much higher than the attractive price at which we are offering this fine painting.

Geese and Reeds Painting (Noando) mounted on luxurious gold silk by Yang Ki Hun aka Seokyeon (1843-1897) from Pyeongyang, signed Seokyeon. Yang Ki Hun's signature 'boneless' style (painting without outlines, using ink washes) beautifully captures light and shade. The literal meaning of 'noando' is reed and geese painting, but it is a play on words, as 'no' means both reed and old, and 'an' means both geese and comfort ('do' means painting). So 'noan' can mean 'reed and geese' or 'old comfort', and so a painting of geese and reeds symbolized a wish for a comfortable and peaceful old age. This particular painting has further meaning because it depicts two pair of geese. Geese were believed to mate for life, so this painting symbolizes eternal love, and the wish for a couple to grow old together in peace and comfort. Yang Ki Hun was a member of the Royal Academy of Painting in the 19th Century. He made a living by painting for the king and his court, and also by selling his paintings in Pyeongyang. Here are two great quotes from Yang Ki Hun's contemporary, the painter and calligrapher Chi Un Yeong (aka Paekryeon): "Yang Ki Hun's paintings stir up my jealousy because they seem completely freed from all ideas and restraints". And after Seokyeon (Yang Ki Hun) passed away, Chi Un Yeong wrote, "Seokyeon told me that when he stayed on Neungna Island for a few years some time ago, he often saw geese fly in and land on a reed field, so he was able to paint them in a realistic way. His words still linger vividly in my ears. I remember playing with him thirty years ago in the Taedong River, and it seems so far away and dream-like." Ink on paper. Silk Mounting: 67 x 16.5 inches, 170 x 42 cm; Painting: 48.75 x 12 inches, 124 x 30.5 cm. The third photo here shows the market price for Yang Ki Hun paintings, which is much higher than the attractive price at which we are offering this fine painting.