Official Sacred Record
LEGACY
Visual Artist Kim Hong-do's reading records
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I n t r o d u c t i o n
Master of Genre Painting Kim Hong-do
Visual ArtistKR1745 — 1806
The foremost court painter of late Joseon. He left a great mark on Korean art history with genre paintings depicting commoner life with vivid energy.
“The grit of a wrestling match and common tears in a schoolroom; the sweat of ordinary people enduring this land is the greatest art.”
C o n t e m p o r a r i e s
L i b r a r y
Cultural Journey
How cultural experiences shaped this figure's life
Kim Hong-do does not look at the world in order to paint — his way of seeing the world is itself painting. Receiving the cultivation of the three excellencies — poetry, calligraphy, and painting — from his teacher Gang Se-hwang, and learning the style of Southern Chinese painting, he then boldly casts it aside. Taking the pseudonym "Danwon," the same studio name as the Ming painter Li Liufang, was an act of homage to a predecessor and simultaneously a declaration to surpass him. To begin from imitation but never remain in it — that is Kim Hong-do's way of reception.
Under the patronage of King Jeongjo, Kim Hong-do simultaneously absorbed Chinese painting theory and Western perspective as a court painter. As the practical worldview of the Seongho School's practical learning permeated artistic practice, the pursuit of realistic depiction intensified; he participated in experiments applying linear perspective and atmospheric perspective to true-view landscape painting alongside Gang Se-hwang. This experiment was not the simple adoption of foreign technique but an attempt to paint the landscapes of Joseon through Joseon's eyes while maximizing the precision of expression.
His association with representative intellectual groups of the era — the Bukhak School, the Ansan Fifteen Scholars, and the epigraphy school — broadened the canvas of Kim Hong-do's art. The depth of thought gained through companionship with scholars permeates the expression on the teacher's face in the Village School, the dynamism of the crowd in the Wrestling Match, and the humor of the common people in the Tavern. Kim Hong-do verifies in the streets what he has learned in painting theory, and returns to painting theory what he has captured in the streets in living energy. To move back and forth between theory and the field — that is his artistic reception.
Under the patronage of King Jeongjo, Kim Hong-do simultaneously absorbed Chinese painting theory and Western perspective as a court painter. As the practical worldview of the Seongho School's practical learning permeated artistic practice, the pursuit of realistic depiction intensified; he participated in experiments applying linear perspective and atmospheric perspective to true-view landscape painting alongside Gang Se-hwang. This experiment was not the simple adoption of foreign technique but an attempt to paint the landscapes of Joseon through Joseon's eyes while maximizing the precision of expression.
His association with representative intellectual groups of the era — the Bukhak School, the Ansan Fifteen Scholars, and the epigraphy school — broadened the canvas of Kim Hong-do's art. The depth of thought gained through companionship with scholars permeates the expression on the teacher's face in the Village School, the dynamism of the crowd in the Wrestling Match, and the humor of the common people in the Tavern. Kim Hong-do verifies in the streets what he has learned in painting theory, and returns to painting theory what he has captured in the streets in living energy. To move back and forth between theory and the field — that is his artistic reception.
Cultural Journey
How cultural experiences shaped this figure's life
Kim Hong-do does not look at the world in order to paint — his way of seeing the world is itself painting. Receiving the cultivation of the three excellencies — poetry, calligraphy, and painting — from his teacher Gang Se-hwang, and learning the style of Southern Chinese painting, he then boldly casts it aside. Taking the pseudonym "Danwon," the same studio name as the Ming painter Li Liufang, was an act of homage to a predecessor and simultaneously a declaration to surpass him. To begin from imitation but never remain in it — that is Kim Hong-do's way of reception.
Under the patronage of King Jeongjo, Kim Hong-do simultaneously absorbed Chinese painting theory and Western perspective as a court painter. As the practical worldview of the Seongho School's practical learning permeated artistic practice, the pursuit of realistic depiction intensified; he participated in experiments applying linear perspective and atmospheric perspective to true-view landscape painting alongside Gang Se-hwang. This experiment was not the simple adoption of foreign technique but an attempt to paint the landscapes of Joseon through Joseon's eyes while maximizing the precision of expression.
His association with representative intellectual groups of the era — the Bukhak School, the Ansan Fifteen Scholars, and the epigraphy school — broadened the canvas of Kim Hong-do's art. The depth of thought gained through companionship with scholars permeates the expression on the teacher's face in the Village School, the dynamism of the crowd in the Wrestling Match, and the humor of the common people in the Tavern. Kim Hong-do verifies in the streets what he has learned in painting theory, and returns to painting theory what he has captured in the streets in living energy. To move back and forth between theory and the field — that is his artistic reception.
Under the patronage of King Jeongjo, Kim Hong-do simultaneously absorbed Chinese painting theory and Western perspective as a court painter. As the practical worldview of the Seongho School's practical learning permeated artistic practice, the pursuit of realistic depiction intensified; he participated in experiments applying linear perspective and atmospheric perspective to true-view landscape painting alongside Gang Se-hwang. This experiment was not the simple adoption of foreign technique but an attempt to paint the landscapes of Joseon through Joseon's eyes while maximizing the precision of expression.
His association with representative intellectual groups of the era — the Bukhak School, the Ansan Fifteen Scholars, and the epigraphy school — broadened the canvas of Kim Hong-do's art. The depth of thought gained through companionship with scholars permeates the expression on the teacher's face in the Village School, the dynamism of the crowd in the Wrestling Match, and the humor of the common people in the Tavern. Kim Hong-do verifies in the streets what he has learned in painting theory, and returns to painting theory what he has captured in the streets in living energy. To move back and forth between theory and the field — that is his artistic reception.
S i g n a t u r eL i n e s
Quote
“The grit of a wrestling match and common tears in a schoolroom; the sweat of ordinary people enduring this land is the greatest art.”
Greeting
“I would be grateful if you called me the Painting Immortal.”
“A cup of wine and a painting — is there a better life than this?”
“Everything in this world can become a painting.”
Roll Call
“Give me a brush and some wine and I'll go anywhere.”
“I will live up to the name of the nation's master painter.”
“I am already ready.”
Deploy
“Charge forward with the spirit of a true artist!”
“Paint the whole world with a single brush!”
“Soar like an immortal!”
Victory
“The laughter of the common people is the most beautiful painting.”
“Tonight calls for a big drink.”
“Joseon lives at the tip of Danwon's brush.”
Draw
“There are still scenes I have not yet captured.”
“I paint better when I'm a little tipsy.”
“The next canvas is waiting.”
Defeat
“I cannot face my teacher.”
“My brush could not keep up with my intentions.”
“I will grind the ink again.”
Strike
“Danwon's single stroke passes through!”
“Draw strength from the mountains and rivers!”
“Pin them down with one genre painting!”
Quote
“The grit of a wrestling match and common tears in a schoolroom; the sweat of ordinary people enduring this land is the greatest art.”
Greeting
“I would be grateful if you called me the Painting Immortal.”
“A cup of wine and a painting — is there a better life than this?”
“Everything in this world can become a painting.”
Roll Call
“Give me a brush and some wine and I'll go anywhere.”
“I will live up to the name of the nation's master painter.”
“I am already ready.”
Deploy
“Charge forward with the spirit of a true artist!”
“Paint the whole world with a single brush!”
“Soar like an immortal!”
Victory
“The laughter of the common people is the most beautiful painting.”
“Tonight calls for a big drink.”
“Joseon lives at the tip of Danwon's brush.”
Draw
“There are still scenes I have not yet captured.”
“I paint better when I'm a little tipsy.”
“The next canvas is waiting.”
Defeat
“I cannot face my teacher.”
“My brush could not keep up with my intentions.”
“I will grind the ink again.”
Strike
“Danwon's single stroke passes through!”
“Draw strength from the mountains and rivers!”
“Pin them down with one genre painting!”
P e r s o n aA n a l y s i s
Overview
A gentle innovator structure elevating commoner genre painting to Joseon highest art by combining high intellect and outstanding diligence. High benevolence and loyalty created service spirit toward both royalty and common people; optimism and social temperament combine to form a capability balance as vivid chronicler of the era.
Core Abilities
Command48
Martial38
Intellect88
Charm82
Inner Virtues
Temperance55
Diligence90
Reflection65
Courage60
Outer Virtues
Loyalty72
Benevolence78
Fairness62
Humility68
Core Disposition
Pessimism
Optimism
Conservative
Progressive
Individual
Social
Cautious
Bold
Similar Figures
Overview
A gentle innovator structure elevating commoner genre painting to Joseon highest art by combining high intellect and outstanding diligence. High benevolence and loyalty created service spirit toward both royalty and common people; optimism and social temperament combine to form a capability balance as vivid chronicler of the era.
Core Abilities
Command48
Martial38
Intellect88
Charm82
Inner Virtues
Temperance55
Diligence90
Reflection65
Courage60
Outer Virtues
Loyalty72
Benevolence78
Fairness62
Humility68
Core Disposition
Pessimism
Optimism
Conservative
Progressive
Individual
Social
Cautious
Bold
Similar Figures
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