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Korea: 'A dancing boy'. From Danwon Pungsokdo Cheop by Kim Hong-do, 1780

Korea: 'A dancing boy'. From Danwon Pungsokdo Cheop by Kim Hong-do, 1780

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 Pungsokdo Cheop is an album of genre painting (pungsokhwa or pungsokdo) drawn by Kim Hongdo during the late Joseon dynasty. It was named after Kim's pen name, Danwon, and comprises 25 paintings in total. The album is painted with light watercolor on hanji (Korean paper). Each painting depicts vividly common people's daily life in the Joseon period.

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