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| ▲ This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea shows drawings of peony on the folding screens. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea shows a peony painting by Shin Myeong-yeon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea shows royal wedding clothes. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Peony is the most preferred flower among the Joseon royal family. The National Palace Museum of Korea will open a special exhibition on Wednesday to introduce peony flowers that have permeated the Joseon royal culture.
More than 120 artifacts with peony as the design elements, including folding screens, will be displayed at the exhibition, which will be held through October.
The exhibition starts in a garden-like space full of peony flowers. Peony paintings by Heo Ryun and Nam Gye-woo, painters of the 19th century, can also be observed as it hangs down in the exhibition halls.
The exhibition then examines how peony was decorated in the items used in the living space of the Joseon royal family. Peonies were also a symbol of wealth and honor. The flower was usually designed on furniture, paintings, blue and white porcelains, and embroidered items, which meant the royal family would be full of abundance and prosperity.
The wedding clothes for two women embroidered with peony patterns are also eye-catching. One of them was worn by Princess Bokon (1818-1832), the second daughter of King Sunjo, during her marriage. It is said that this clothing was the only one with proper information on who wore it and the timing of its production.
Other wedding clothes that have come from Changdeokgung Palace will be unveiled for the first time in this exhibition. During the preservation process, paper lead was found between the outer and lining parts of the clothes. It turned out that this paper was recycled from 1880 past exam answer sheets.
Some of the exhibition rooms decorated the walls like the Nakseonjae Building Complex in Changdeokgung Palace and placed artifacts under the light from the ceiling. It also introduced media art by using flower patterns of wedding clothes.
The final space of the exhibition sheds light on the peony used for royal funerals and ancestral rituals. It is decorated with Uigwe, royal documentary protocol paintings in the court, Gyoui (chairs used for ancestral rites), Shinnyeo (a palanquin used for ceremonies), and incense burners.
Lastly, it is hard to miss the peony folding screens. Visitors can take a close look at the peony folding screen on three sides.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the number of visitors will be limited to 100 per hour and 1,000 per day. Reservations can be made at the National Palace Museum website (gogung.go.kr). The exhibition will be held until October 31.
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