Iam Pil Hwajogujado

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1392

Category

Painting

Era

조선시대(16세기 전반)

Designated year

2003

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울 용산구 이태원로55길 60-16, 삼성미술관 리움 (한남동)

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

This painting is by Yi Am (1499-?), who was the great grandson of Prince Imyeong (1418-1469), the fourth son of King Sejong. Known also under his penname Jeongjung, Yi Am was bestowed the fifth rank title of Duseongnyeong by the king. As a literati painter, he is said to have excelled in fowl-and-animal and flower-and-bird paintings. This painting depicts a scene in which three puppies are basking in the spring sun against the backdrop of a blossomed tree. Two birds are perched on the sinuous branches, facing toward butterflies and bees approaching the tree, attracted by the blossoms, as though they were engaged in some form of communication with them. These same three puppies also appear in other paintings by Yi Am, such as ‘Mogyeondo (Mother Dog and Puppies, kept at the National Museum of Korea).’ The yellow one is sound asleep with its head resting on its front paws. The black one, having the same coat as the mother, is perking up, as though it heard a sound, with the eyes staring toward the right side. Finally, the white puppy in the foreground has its tail stretched out and is playing with a grasshopper loosely held in its mouth. The scene is very natural with all elements composing it fit perfectly the chosen subject, and the painting exudes the peaceful atmosphere of a warm spring day. The texture of the tree trunk and the rock at the bottom left of the painting is rendered with multiple dots; a technique popularly used in early Joseon paintings. There is a seal in the shape of a tripod cauldron and a counter-relief seal of the artist’s penname “Jeongjung” at the top right of the painting. This painting is not only valuable for its age, but also because its author is clearly established. Yet more importantly, as one of the very few extant early to mid-Joseon paintings, this painting remains highly original, all the while displaying a very distinctly Korean flavor.

Location