Research Paper Outline
Introduction
Hook: Danwon Kim Hong-do is widely considered one of the greatest painters of the Joseon period. His work, not only represents the artistic style of the period, but also offers a significant cultural record.
Thesis: Danwon Kim Hong-do's genre painting artwork "Ssireum" expresses ordinary life during the Joseon dynasty.
The significance of traditional artwork in Korea is explored by Kyong-uk Chon (36). More specifically. All contain certain characteristics that are significant to Korean Art.
Plays
Masks
Drama
Traaditional song
Dance
Traditional artworks, or paintings specifically, are divided into categories (Kyong-uk Chon 33)
The significance of Paintings in Korea
Korean art work consistently provide a mirror for the era in which they were produced (Pak & Johnson 4).
Hong-do was a famous painter working for the royal court during the Joseon era. (Oh 15).
Kimg Hong –do
Full time painter
Studied starting at the age of seven under the tutelage of Pyoam Kang Se-hwang (Pratt 211)
Entered royal service as a painter at the age of 21, doing royal portraits (Pratt 211).
Established the style now known as “true view painting” (Turner 18)
Known today for his depictions of ordinary people and everyday life.
King-Hong’s paintings, as an example
King-Hong Do Ssireum painting is part of depiction of life.
Depiction of dance (Kyong-uk Chon 52).
Depiction of Ssireum (Kyong-uk Chon 54).
These depictions mirror the significant characteristics of other arts mentioned above.
One of these traditional arts not specifically explored by Chon is martial arts.
Martial arts hold a special significance in Korea (Green & Svinth 190).
The Ssireum, as depicted by Hong-Do were a game played as a part of the cultural development of martial arts in Korea (Green & Svinth 192).
This is a primary example of the way that Kon-uk Chon’s work depicts culturally significant, but commonplace activities from the Korea of that era.
The Purpose of Art of Hong-do
Places a special focus on the way that games have an important role in Korean life (Jin 1; LLC General Books 1).
This is closely tied to the significance of education. Ssireum is not only culturally significant but also educationally valuable (Jin 1, Green and Svinth 194).
This means that the work provides an important cultural record, but the style of the record is also significant (South Korean Ssiruum Practitioners 7).
Hong-do present a variety of historically significant paintings (Lee 1)
Background for the creation and significance of Ssirium ( Lee 67).
The style of Hong-do
Most noted of Joseon period because his approach was different (King Hong Do ).
Very simply approach/ style. Few colors, with bold outlines (King Hong Do )
Paintings were designed to capture the essence of a moment of real life, and focused on social elements (King Hong Do )
Conclusion
Hong-do like other Korean artisits of his day focused on mirroring the era that he was a part of.
This meant creating a record of events of cultural significance
Important example is the painting Ssirium
He was recognized as great because he embraced a totally different style, which used bold lines and simplicity to reflect social life.
He was ultimately one of the most significant artists of the Joseon era.
Works cited
Chŏn, Kyŏng-uk. Traditional Performing Arts of Korea. Seoul: The Korea Foundation,, 2008 .
Green, Thomas A., and Joseph R. Svinth. Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2010 .
Jun-hyun, Jin. "Kim Hong-do Captures the Essence of Joseon Society." Koreana . https://www.koreana.or.kr:444/months/news_view.asp?b_idx=389&lang=en&page_type=list (accessed 06 03, 2016).
"Kim Hong-do, a Distinguished Painter of Joseon Dynasty." KBS World Radio. 01 28, 2011. http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/archive/program/program_koreanstory.htm?no=23530 (accessed 06 03, 2016).
Lee, Dongju. The Beauty of Old Korean Paintings: A History and an Appreciation. London : Saffron, 2005 .
LLC, General Books. Ssireum Practitioners by Nationality: South Korean Ssireum Practitioners, Choi Hong-Man, Kang Ho Dong, Lee Eon. New York: General Books LLC, 2010 .
O, Chu-sŏk. The Art of Kim Hong-Do: A Great Court Painter of 18th-Century Korea. New York: Art Media Resources, 2005 .
Pak, Youngdae, and Chris. Johnson. Essential Korean art : from prehistory to the Joseon period. Seoul : Seoul Hyeonamsa, 2004.
Pratt, Keith. Korea, A Historical and Cultural Dictionary. Durham East Asia Series. Routledge. 1999. Print
South Korean Ssireum Practitioners: Choi Hong-Man, Kang Ho Dong, Lee Eon. New York: General Books LLC, 2010.
Tae-seung, Lim. "Paradigm Shifts of Regions and Icons: The Aesthetic Significance of Kim Hong-do's Paintings." Korea Journal (Springer) 46, no. 2 (2006): 208-232.
Turner, Jane. Grove Dictionary of Art. Oxford University Press, 2003.
