• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
• /
• v.98
• /
• pp.200-225
• /
• 2020

This paper, based on "Minhwa Chaekgeori" paintings from the collection of the National Museum of Korea, identifies and discusses fourteen similar works in domestic and international collections as products of the Seokdang workshop. First, the relevant paintings are identified as products of the workshop known as Seokdang (石堂, literally "stone hall") by the workshop's seal that is stamped on them. Second, analysis of the iconography indicates that the paintings were likely produced in the 1920s. Third, research on certain geographic names and addresses associated with this group of paintings suggests that they might not have been separately commissioned, but are rather examples of partially "ready-made" paintings. Fourth, the paper discusses how the designs of various cultural products in these paintings reflects contemporaneous changes in Korea's diplomatic and commercial relations, i.e., the decline of relations with China and rise of relations with the United States and Europe. Finally, a comparison of the Seokdang chaekgeori paintings with the popular chaekgeori paintings produced by Yi Hyeongrok and Yi Deokyeong in the early twentieth century provides important implications for the succession of tradition and innovation in visual culture.