Changdeokgung's 'Ilwol Obongdo' Unveiled for the First Time on the 11th After Six Years of Conservation

Renovation of the Royal Court Calligraphy and Painting Hall at the National Palace Museum of Korea
"Royal Seals Collected by King Heonjong Also on Display"

Ilwol Obongdo Folding Screen

The sun and moon, five mountain peaks, pine trees, and waves. The 'Ilwol Obongdo' folding screen, symbolizing the authority of the Joseon king, will be presented to visitors after six years of conservation treatment.

The National Palace Museum of Korea announced on November 10 that it has completed the renovation of its permanent royal court calligraphy and painting exhibition hall and will launch a new exhibition starting November 11. The Ilwol Obongdo folding screen unveiled this time once adorned Injeongjeon Hall at Changdeokgung Palace. After undergoing conservation treatment at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage from 2016 to 2021, it is being revealed to the public for the first time.

The Ilwol Obongdo folding screen was placed in the king's office and at locations where royal processions took place. During the Japanese colonial period, the Ilwol Obongdo at Injeongjeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace was replaced with Japanese-style phoenix and mythical animal paintings, but it was restored to its original place during the restoration of Injeongjeon Hall in 1964.

Folding Screen of Gang Namchun's Painting

The 'Folding Screen of Gang Namchun's Painting' is also being unveiled for the first time. This work depicts an imagined spring landscape of Jiangnan, south of the Yangtze River in China. With its beautiful scenery and long history, Jiangnan developed a unique culture and was regarded as an ideal city by Joseon-era literati. The royal court of the 19th century also saw a trend of appreciating calligraphy and painting themed on Jiangnan. The National Palace Museum of Korea purchased this artwork in 2022 and has completed its conservation treatment.

Royal calligraphy engraved on stone and wooden plaques by successive kings are also being newly exhibited. These works include stone engravings of royal calligraphy by King Taejo and wooden plaques by King Seonjo, created by inscribing the king's handwriting on stone or hanging it above doors, offering a glimpse into the tradition of royal calligraphy.

The 'Bosodang Injon,' a collection of royal seals and information compiled by King Heonjong, who had a keen interest in seals, is also on display. 'Bosodang' was Heonjong's pen name, and the seals he collected were called 'Bosodang seals.' Although most were lost in a fire at Deoksugung Palace in 1900, it is said that new ones were recreated during King Gojong's reign.

Royal Court Calligraphy and Painting Studio 'Eopilgakseok'

The National Palace Museum of Korea is also introducing new media content. At the entrance to the exhibition, visitors are greeted by a video depicting the immortals invited to the banquet of the Queen Mother of the West in 'Yojiyondo.' In a separate space, visitors can sequentially appreciate royal court paintings such as 'Sibjangsaengdo,' 'Yeonjido,' and 'Jukseokdo,' according to the passage of time from morning to night.

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