National Museum of Korea Hosts "Conversations with a Curator" on Impressionism, Islamic Art, and More Exhibitions

Guided Tours on 14 Topics in November

The National Museum of Korea hosts "Conversations with a Curator" every Wednesday during its extended evening hours. In November, guided tours will be offered on 14 topics, including the special exhibition "From Impressionism to Early Modernism: Collectors of Light," which features Impressionist paintings, and the newly opened Islamic Gallery in the World Art Gallery, as well as throughout the permanent exhibition halls.

Boat-shaped pottery. Courtesy of the National Museum of Korea

First, the special exhibition "From Impressionism to Early Modernism: Collectors of Light," featuring the Robert Lehman Collection from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States, will open on November 14. This exhibition highlights the transformation of art from late 19th-century Impressionism to early 20th-century Modernism, showcasing works by artists who pioneered new horizons in art through their exploration of light and color. On November 19 and 26 at 6 p.m., the exhibition curator will provide commentary on major works and share the intent behind the exhibition.

The Islamic Gallery will open to the public on November 22, offering an opportunity to experience the splendor of Islamic civilization through 83 artifacts from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. On November 26 at 7 p.m., a curator-led tour will provide deeper insight into the exhibition's content and organization.

In addition, a variety of guided tours will be held in the existing permanent exhibition halls. In the Baekje Gallery, the theme "Architectural Ornaments of Baekje" will introduce the decorative beauty of roof tiles and ornamental ridge-end tiles. In the Gaya Gallery, "Boat-shaped Pottery and Gaya's Boats" will explore the maritime culture of Gaya. The Unified Silla Gallery will feature "Roof-end Tiles with Hunting Patterns: Meeting the Master of Depiction," highlighting the artisans' delicate sculptural sensibilities expressed in the tiles.

In the Goryeo 2 Gallery of the Medieval and Early Modern Korea Hall, visitors can appreciate a bronze Buddhist monk statue crafted by a monk from Tongyeongsa Temple in Gaeseong in "A Monk Wearing a Hood," and explore Buddhist cultural heritage such as the Tripitaka Koreana, bodhisattva statues, and transformation paintings in "Buddhist Culture of the Goryeo Dynasty." In the Joseon 1 Gallery, the themes "Tradition of Royal Portraits in the Joseon Dynasty" and "Royal Portraits of Joseon Kings" will be presented. The Donated Works 1 Gallery will feature "Meeting the Museum through Books: Sohn Kee-chung's Donated Bronze Helmet and More."

In the Buddhist Sculpture Gallery of the Sculpture and Crafts Hall, "Materials of Buddhist Sculpture" will be explored through Buddha and bodhisattva statues. The Buncheong Ware and White Porcelain Gallery will present "Stories of Angular White Porcelain," introducing the chamfering technique and understated elegance of 17th-century Joseon white porcelain.

Additionally, the Education Center will offer "Multisensory Exhibition Learning: Experiencing 'Space of the Five Senses'," and the Children's Museum will host "Understanding the 'Mind Ecosystem' through Cultural Heritage." The National Museum of Korea continues to operate "Conversations with a Curator" every Wednesday during extended evening hours.

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