[Exhibition] Art of Early Joseon: Masterpieces from the 15th and 16th Century

I am delighted to announce our upcoming museum meetup. This exhibition is truly one of the must-see events of the year and beyond. Since a similar exhibition was last held in 1996, the next one may not occur for another 30 years—making it potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Though I've already visited, I would love to experience it again with you all before it ends.

This exhibition focuses on the Early Joseon dynasty (15-16th century), which emerged after the transition from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) with a change in ruling family. While preserving elements of their predecessor's heritage, the Joseon rulers established a new era characterized by different philosophical approaches and artistic techniques. This period is particularly enriching as it showcases the overlap of two distinct cultural backgrounds during a pivotal historical transition.

Regarding porcelain, this era represents the most dynamic period in Korean ceramic history, when many types of porcelain coexisted with both unconventional styles and dignified elegance. The customer base for Goryeo celadon shifted from the royal family to local bureaucrats and ordinary citizens, allowing the craft to become more casual and creative through new techniques. By following the evolution of porcelain during this time, you can appreciate the whimsical sense of humor that ancient Koreans expressed through their ceramic arts.

Sansudo (landscape paintings) in East Asian art differ from Western approaches. Rather than simply representing nature, they depict idealized landscapes designed to nurture the human mind. Through these artistic renderings, artists sought to understand the natural order and harmonize with it. Four-season paintings particularly connected with agricultural cycles and ideals of good governance. In this exhibition, you can experience masterpieces of Joseon Sansudo firsthand.

The main religion also shifted from Buddhism to Seongnihak (Neo-Confucianism), which translates to "Learning of principle" or "Learning of nature and principle." The new ruling class consisted not of Buddhist monks but of scholars who valued study and the arts. However, ordinary people's lives remained deeply rooted in Buddhism, making this religious transition gradual rather than immediate. Seokbo Sangjeol, a Buddha's life story, was written in Hangul—the alphabet invented in 1443 by King Sejong, who wanted to create an accessible writing system for common citizens to learn easily and use in their daily lives. Interestingly, the early books written in Hangul weren't focused on Neo-Confucian principles for the political elite, but instead contained familiar Buddhist stories for ordinary citizens. While Confucianism was the ideological backbone of the ruling hierachy, Buddhism provided a unifying belief system and source of comfort for people of all classes, form the royal family and scholar officials to the commoners. You might also experience magnificent Buddhist treasures of the early Joseon dynasty.

The exhibition organizes Early Joseon dynasty masterpieces according to three colors—White (Porcelain), Black (Sansudo), and Gold (Buddhism). Before visiting the museum, I recommend watching the video clip embedded in the exhibition hall to enhance your experience and save time. 🙂

Video Clip
큐레이터 3인이 말하는 특별전'새 나라 새 미술-조선 전기 미술 대전' #국립중앙박물관
Three Colors, Three Voices: Curators Discuss the Special Exhibition

📍Note📍
Please book your ticket in advance, as tickets sell out on-site.
Online Reservations (via Ticketlink and Naver Booking)
We will meet at 10:45 in front of the ticket booth and enter the exhibition hall at 11:00

Exhibition
Art of Early Joseon: Masterpieces from the 15th and 16th Century
(click for more information)

Venue
Special Exhibition Gallery I of the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관 특별전시실 1관)

Admissions
8,000 won

Details
10:45 AM We will each buy our tickets and meet in front of the ticket booth.
11:00 Enter the exhibition hall
1PM Get together in the lobby again and move to a cafe for discussion
2PM The Meetup ends