'Lee Kun-hee Collection' Donated Works Unveiled... Including Jeongseon’s 'Inwang Jesaekdo' and Monet’s 'Water Lilies Pond'

Over 11,000 Samsung Family Artworks, More Than 23,000 Pieces Donated

Gyeomjae Jeong Seon's 'Inwangjesaekdo'

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Jeongseon's ‘Inwangjesaekdo’, Lee Jung-seop's ‘Bull’, Claude Monet's ‘Pond with Water Lilies’...

These are some of the artworks from the so-called ‘Lee Kun-hee Collection’ whose donation policy was announced by the Samsung family on the 28th. The collection includes over 11,000 items (more than 23,000 pieces) ranging from nationally recognized treasures and cultural assets to famous modern Korean artworks and renowned Western paintings. The Samsung family plans to donate the majority of the artworks to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the National Museum of Korea, with some pieces going to regional public art museums, considering the artists' places of origin and other factors.

A senior official from the Korea Art Dealers Association, who led the appraisal process for the inherited artworks of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "From the moment we began the appraisal, it was truly moving," adding, "I understand the total number of artworks left by Chairman Lee is about 13,000 items, and with the donation amounting to around 11,000 items, it can be said that almost all of them are being donated in terms of quantity."

According to the official, the largest artwork appraised is Kim Whanki's ‘Jars and Women’, which measures about 5 meters in width. This piece is included in the donated artworks publicly revealed by the Samsung family on the day. Other top-valued artworks include ‘Inwangjesaekdo’, ‘Pond with Water Lilies’, and ‘Bull’. All these works will also be donated. However, the previously reported ‘Large Woman III (1960)’ by Alberto Giacometti (1901?1966) was not on the appraisal list, though a smaller female figure sculpture is said to exist.

Lee Jung-seop 'Bull'

The Samsung family's generous donation decision has kept the recipient institutions busy. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the National Museum of Korea are reviewing the details of the Samsung family's donation and plan to announce their future management plans. It is known that the Samsung family and these institutions have been discussing the donation list and methods of storage and exhibition since early this year. A representative from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art stated, "Following the Samsung family's announcement, we are preparing to release a statement regarding the related details."

The art community has generally given positive evaluations of the Samsung family's donation. Kim Bora, director of the Seongbuk-gu Art Museum, said, "The ‘Lee Kun-hee Collection’ is an important collection that continues the lineage of Korean art history collectors," adding, "It follows the legacy of Korean collectors such as Wichang Oh Se-chang, Yeongun Kim Yong-jin, Sojeon Son Jae-hyung, and Gansong Jeon Hyeong-pil."

Some have expressed regret that the artworks will be dispersed across various locations. A representative of a domestic gallery said, "I was hoping for the establishment of a large-scale art museum bearing Chairman Lee's name, so this is a bit disappointing," and added, "I am also concerned whether national and public museums will be able to manage the collection well within their existing budgets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.