Hyewon
Encyclopedia
Shin Yun-bok, better known by his pen name Hyewon, (born 1758) was a Korea
n painter of the Joseon Dynasty
. Like his contemporaries Danwon
and Geungjae, he is known for his realistic depictions of daily life in his time. His genre paintings are distinctly more erotic
than Danwon's, a fact which contributed to his expulsion from the royal painting institute, Dohwaseo. Painting was frequently a hereditary occupation in the Joseon period, and Hyewon's father and grandfather had both been court painters. Together with Danwon
and the later painter Owon
, Hyewon is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons" of Joseon-period painting.
and Jeongjo. Hyewon reached the official rank of cheomjeoljesa (hangul:첨절제사, hanja:僉節制使) at the Dohwaseo and was adept at different styles of painting; genre
, landscape, and animals. It is speculated that he left a great number of paintings due to the popularity of genre paintings during that era.
There are different studies and theories regarding his life, that he may not have ever been a member of the Dohwaseo nor was he on close terms with Kim Hong-do.
era. Whereas Kim depicted everyday life of peasants with a humorous touch, Shin showed glimpses of eroticism in his paintings of townspeople and gisaeng. His choice of characters, composition, and painting method differed from Kim's, with use of bright colors and delicate paint strokes. He also painted scenes of shamanism
and townlife, offering insight to lifestyle and costumes of the late Joseon era.
His ink landscape paintings used clear light strokes in a method similar to that of Yoon Jehong (윤제홍), the pioneer in new style painting of the late Joseon era. He is also known to not have used the traditional method of leaving empty space in his paintings, usually filling the whole canvas. Although he placed short verse and his seal on most of his paintings, none indicate the date nor time of their creation and it is difficult to define the progression of his painting style. As one of the pillars of genre painting in the Joseon era, he influenced many other painters afterwards.
His album, Hyewon Pungsokhwacheop
(혜원 풍속화첩), contains 30 of his paintings and was designated the 135th National Treasure of South Korea in 1970.
, as well as the film Portrait of a Beauty
.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n painter of 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...
. Like his contemporaries Danwon
Danwon
Kim Hong-do, better known as Danwon , 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...
and Geungjae, he is known for his realistic depictions of daily life in his time. His genre paintings are distinctly more erotic
Erotic art
Erotic art covers any artistic work that is intended to evoke erotic arousal or that depicts scenes of love-making. It includes paintings, engravings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, music and writing.-Definition:...
than Danwon's, a fact which contributed to his expulsion from the royal painting institute, Dohwaseo. Painting was frequently a hereditary occupation in the Joseon period, and Hyewon's father and grandfather had both been court painters. Together with Danwon
Danwon
Kim Hong-do, better known as Danwon , 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...
and the later painter Owon
Owon
Jang Seung-eop , was a painter of the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea. His life was dramatized in the award-winning 2002 film Chi-hwa-seon directed by Im Kwon-taek. He was one of the few painters to hold a position of rank in the Joseon court.Growing up as an orphan, Owon learned painting while...
, Hyewon is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons" of Joseon-period painting.
Biography
Not much is known about Shin Yun-bok's life. He was the son of royal court painter Hanpyeong (hangul:한평, hanja:漢枰), who had participated in painting the royal portraits of YeongjoYeongjo of Joseon
Yeongjo was the twenty-first king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was the second son of Sukjong by Lady Suk-bin of the Choi clan , succeeded his older brother Gyeongjong.-Reign:...
and Jeongjo. Hyewon reached the official rank of cheomjeoljesa (hangul:첨절제사, hanja:僉節制使) at the Dohwaseo and was adept at different styles of painting; genre
Genre painting
Genre works, also called genre scenes or genre views, are pictorial representations in any of various media that represent scenes or events from everyday life, such as markets, domestic settings, interiors, parties, inn scenes, and street scenes. Such representations may be realistic, imagined, or...
, landscape, and animals. It is speculated that he left a great number of paintings due to the popularity of genre paintings during that era.
There are different studies and theories regarding his life, that he may not have ever been a member of the Dohwaseo nor was he on close terms with Kim Hong-do.
Style and legacy
Shin Yun-bok, despite being greatly influenced and overshadowed by Kim Hong-do during his career, developed his own unique technique and artistry. Along with Kim Hong-Do, he is known foremost for his genre paintings of the JoseonJoseon
Joseon, Chosŏn, Choseon or Chosun are English spellings of the Korean *word for "Korea". It may refer to:*Korea*Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, from 2333 BC to 108 BC.*Joseon Dynasty of Korea, from AD 1392 to 1910....
era. Whereas Kim depicted everyday life of peasants with a humorous touch, Shin showed glimpses of eroticism in his paintings of townspeople and gisaeng. His choice of characters, composition, and painting method differed from Kim's, with use of bright colors and delicate paint strokes. He also painted scenes of shamanism
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
and townlife, offering insight to lifestyle and costumes of the late Joseon era.
His ink landscape paintings used clear light strokes in a method similar to that of Yoon Jehong (윤제홍), the pioneer in new style painting of the late Joseon era. He is also known to not have used the traditional method of leaving empty space in his paintings, usually filling the whole canvas. Although he placed short verse and his seal on most of his paintings, none indicate the date nor time of their creation and it is difficult to define the progression of his painting style. As one of the pillars of genre painting in the Joseon era, he influenced many other painters afterwards.
His album, Hyewon Pungsokhwacheop
Hyewon pungsokdo
Hyewon pungsokdo is an album of the genre paintings drawn by the Korean painter Shin Yunbok during the late Joseon dynasty. It was named after Shin's pen name, Hyewon, and comprises 30 paintings in total....
(혜원 풍속화첩), contains 30 of his paintings and was designated the 135th National Treasure of South Korea in 1970.
Famous paintings
- Portrait of a Beauty (hangul:미인도, hanja: 美人圖) : Painting on silk. Depicts the standard of traditional beauty in the JoseonJoseonJoseon, Chosŏn, Choseon or Chosun are English spellings of the Korean *word for "Korea". It may refer to:*Korea*Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, from 2333 BC to 108 BC.*Joseon Dynasty of Korea, from AD 1392 to 1910....
era. Realistic details of the hanbokHanbokHanbok or Chosŏn-ot is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok today often refers specifically to hanbok of Joseon Dynasty and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear...
are notable. - Dano day (hangul:단오도 , hanja:端午圖) : Painting on paper. Depicts a scene on DanoDanoDano may refer to:*Dano in Pakistan*Dano, Burkina Faso*Dano language Papua New Guinea, ISO code: aso*Dano , the Korean equivalent of the Double Fifth festival*Dano , a district in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia*Dano...
day; semi-nudes bathing in the stream, a woman in a bright red hanbokHanbokHanbok or Chosŏn-ot is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok today often refers specifically to hanbok of Joseon Dynasty and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear...
rides a swing, two young monks peek in the background.
Fictional portrayals
In the novel Painter of the Wind by Lee Jeong-myeong, Hyewon is portrayed as a woman disguised as a man. In 2008, the novel was adapted into a drama series of the same name starring actress Moon Geun YoungMoon Geun Young
Moon Geun-young is a vivacious and multi-talented South Korean award-winning actress, commercial film star, and model. Affectionately called "Korean nation's little sister," Moon started modeling at the age of 12 and appeared in the documentary film On the Way the following year...
, as well as the film Portrait of a Beauty
Portrait of a Beauty
Portrait of a Beauty is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Jeon Yoon-soo. Adapted from the novel Painter of the Wind by Lee Jeong-myeong, the film portrays Joseon-era painter Shin Yoon-bok as a being a woman disguised as a man...
.
See also
- Hyewon PungsokhwacheopHyewon pungsokdoHyewon pungsokdo is an album of the genre paintings drawn by the Korean painter Shin Yunbok during the late Joseon dynasty. It was named after Shin's pen name, Hyewon, and comprises 30 paintings in total....
- List of Korean painters
- Korean paintingKorean paintingKorean 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...
- Korean artKorean artKorean art is art originating or practiced in Korea or by Korean artists, from ancient times to today. Korea is noted for its artistic traditions in pottery, music, calligraphy, and other genres, often marked by the use of bold color, natural forms, and surface decoration.-Introduction:The earliest...