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| ▲ This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea shows “Ilwolobongdo” (Sun, Moon and Five Peaks Painting). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 10 (Yonhap) -- The National Palace Museum of Korea has reopened its Royal Calligraphy and Painting Gallery after a major renovation, featuring the unveiling of the “Ilwolobongdo” (Sun, Moon and Five Peaks Painting) from Changdeok Palace’s Injeongjeon Hall, the museum said Monday.
“Ilwolobongdo” — depicting the sun, moon, five mountain peaks, pine trees, and waves — symbolized the authority and dignity of the Joseon monarch and was traditionally placed behind the royal throne. In Injeongjeon, the central hall of Changdeok Palace, it adorned the space behind the king’s seat.
The folding screen, which measures 438.2 centimeters in width and 247.7 centimeters in height, is being displayed for the first time since undergoing six years of conservation work between 2016 and 2021.
The museum explained that the painting once suffered alteration during the Japanese colonial period, when the original was replaced with one featuring phoenixes and mythical beasts in a Japanese style. It was restored to its original form when Injeongjeon was rebuilt in 1964.
Another highlight of the new exhibition is the “Scenery of Spring in Jiangnan” (Gangnamchun-uido) folding screen, also being shown for the first time after conservation treatment. The work reflects Korean scholars’ admiration for the Jiangnan region of China, long idealized for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
The renovated gallery also explores the calligraphy culture of the Joseon royal court, showcasing royal writings carved into stone tablets, various palace signboards, and royal seals and stationery.
Among the exhibits is “Bosodang Injeon” (Collection of Seals from Bosodang), a catalog compiled by King Heonjong (r. 1834–1849), who gathered seals used by his royal predecessors. A museum official noted that although most of the originals were destroyed in the 1900 Deoksugung Palace fire, King Gojong (r. 1863–1907) later commissioned reproductions, offering a glimpse into the refined artistic sensibilities of the royal family.
Visitors can also enjoy an animated presentation of scenes from the “Banquet at the Jade Pond” (Yojinyeondo), a painting that depicts Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West from Chinese legend, hosting an immortal feast.
The newly refurbished Royal Calligraphy and Painting Gallery opens to the public on Tuesday.
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