First learnt about this portrait from the TV drama series, Painter of the Wind, starring Moon Geum-yong and Park Shin-yang. In the fictionalised account of Joseon dynasty painters, Shin Yun-bok is an apprentice to Kim Hong-do who teaches the former a thing or two about portrait painting in one of my favourite scenes.
It's fascinating to study the contrasts between the original and the modern versions. English teachers may want to set this as an exercise on describing differences. ( Partially jesting.)
Caption from the JoongAng Daily:
"This self-portrait of the Joseon painter and scholar Yun Du-seo (1668-1715), left, known as one of the masterpieces of Korean art, is now being exhibited at the Yun Seon-do Museum, which opened in Haenam, South Jeolla, last Friday. Du-seo was the great grandson of Seon-do, one of the most important writers of the Joseon period. Coincidentally, contemporary artist Kang Hyung-koo, known for his fresh interpretations of portraits of historic figures based on existing paintings or photos, is showing his version of the Yun Du-seo self-portrait, right, as part of his solo exhibition, which runs to Dec. 12 at the Youngeun Museum of Contemporary Art in Gyeonggi."
It's dull work but someone has to do it or they will dawdle in the shade.
Still, I'd rather sit at home with a brush in my hand instead of this pipe,
working on a portrait of the king. Why am I reduced to a watch-dog?
One Thresher's Sijo
I guess he did good in his former life for him to loaf like this now,
But it's little comfort to me hatless and pipeless under the summer sun,
Could I be reborn instead as a bird or fly, free from envy and bitterness?
Another Thresher's Sijo
The sun's a harsh landlord to us but it's kind to the rice; this harvest
means I can carry home rice for the children tonight. But is there enough
to put on the altar for the child who starved and died the year before?
For earlier postings with sijo inspired by Danwon:
Have been exploring cyberspace for Korean tigers in the art world. Here's what I've found so far:
This hanging scroll painting is the work of Kim Hongdo ( see earlier posting on Painter of the Wind) and Im Huiji. Entitled "Tiger and Bamboo", it can be seen in Dokwon Art Museum. Seoul. Question is: Did Kim Hong-do paint the tiger or the bamboo? I'd like to think he can take credit for the former. If so, it's truly amazing how he can master so many different styles of painting. See his portraits of ordinary Koreans - his family on the road and his depiction of a Confucian scholar with his students.
"Korean Tiger" was the official catalogue published in 1984 in the run-up to the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
The folk painting, "Magpie and Tiger" from the Joseon Dynasty has even been reproduced for mouse-pads. Koreans used to believe that a magpie indicated good news and luck while the tiger was used to ward off evil or bad luck. The "combination of the bird and tiger hung inside a house reflected the people's wishes that the folk painting would bring them good luck and repel evil spirits". And there I was, the philistine, thinking, "How cute - the carnivorous king of the jungle having a cosy chat with a birdie!"
"The Korean Tiger - Exploration of the Underlying Culture of Korea 1" is edited by Kim Ho-geun & Yoon Yul-soo (ISBN 89-301-0701-X) "This book includes all aspects of real and imaginary tigers including extraordinary tiger paintings, beliefs and customs related to tigers, the ecology of tigers, Korean medical therapy and tigers, the literature on tigers, and proverbs related to tigers." The first publication was in 1986, while another appeared in the "Year of the Tiger” in 1998.
update ( 11 Feb 2010), click here for more on 2010 as the year of the White Tiger.
Her back is warm but wet; she smells of fish and milk.
Two funny people. Where have I seen them before?
Stumbled upon this addition to the KNTO webpage - an on-line art gallery featuring works by Kim Hong-do ( also known as Danwon) and Shin Yun-bok, the painters featured in the SBS 2008 drama production, Painter of the Wind. Happy viewing!
Here's the OST from one of my favourite dramas. "Painter of the Wind" was a 2008 SBS production, starring Park Shin-yang and Moon Geun-young. It was directed by Jang Taeyu and Jin Hyeok. Am posting this as an intro to something I just stumbled upon in the KNTO website. More in my next posting.
Song by Jo Sung- Mo, lyrics from baidu, translated by sevenses
Song of the Wind
저 달빛 아래 너와 나 이토록 가까운데
Under that bright moon, you and I, are separated by so little
손에 닿을 듯 눈에 보일 듯 더 아련한데
When I almost touch you, your gaze turns towards that hazy memory
나 얼마나 더 살아야 널 다시 불러볼까
If I live on, can I call on you again?
목이 메일 듯 숨이 멎을 듯 널 불러본다
It’s hard to make a sound, my breathing will stop, I continue trying to call to you
널 안고 바람이 불어온다 내 마음 씻어간다
It’s as if the wind has carried you here, fleeting like the twilight
어린 날에 꾸었던 소녀의 꿈처럼 따듯한
Like a dream of childhood, like a young girl’s dream, this warm wind
널 안고 달려간다 하늘 끝까지 간다
Confidently, you lift your head to walk to the ends of the world.
이미 지나가버린 어린 날 꿈처럼 아득한
It’s already passed by, this youthful dream, and we are far from one another
또 기다림이 머물러 기나긴 밤을 새워
The decision to stop waiting, keeps you awake at nights
너를 그리다 너를 그리다 또 짙은 어둠
In the dark of night, you continue to paint
널 안고 바람이 불어온다 내 마음 씻어간다
It’s as if the wind has carried you here, fleeting like the twilight
어린 날에 꾸었던 소녀의 꿈처럼 따듯한
Like a dream of childhood, like a young girl’s dream, this warm wind
널 안고 달려간다 하늘 끝까지 간다
Confidently, you lift your head to walk to the ends of the world
이미 지나가버린 어린 날 꿈처럼 아득한
It’s already passed by, this youthful dream, and we are far from one another
언제나 처럼 또 올 것처럼 넌 그렇게 살다가
Life goes on as usual, seeking for you when you live like the wind
내 맘처럼 저 바람처럼
My heart, is like that wind
넌 그대로 와 난 너에게 가 너를 안아
I am the only one at your side, you are the only one at mine, I wanted to use this to embrace you
바람이 불어온다 내 마음 씻어간다
My heart is being gently cleansed by the passing wind
푸른 언덕 위에서 세상을 비추는 빛으로
On that blue mountain, you shine to illuminate the world
널 안고 달려간다 하늘 끝까지 간다
Confidently, you lift your head to walk to the ends of the world
깊은 어둠 속에서 내 맘을 비추는 소리로
In the dark night, shine on my fluttering heart
달파란 하늘 아래 네 이름 불러본다
Under the limpid moonlight, I call out your name
어딜가나 주었던 그 따뜻함으로 가득한
Wherever you go, remember to feel the wind’s longing.
