An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Orchids and Rocks1897–98
Yi Ha-eung
Yi Ha-eung (1820−1898), the artist of this eight-panel folding screen, was one of the most influential men in late 19th-century Korea. Acting as the regent for his son, King Gojong (1852−1919), who ascended the throne at the age of thirteen, Yi ruled Korea from 1866 to 1873. In addition to his illustrious political career, Yi was also recognized as one of the most celebrated artists who led the revival of literati art in late 19th-century Korean art. In particular, he was recognized as the master of orchids, one of the “Four Gentlemen” (plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo) themes. <br><br>Solely relying on monochrome ink, Yi depicted the curvilinear silhouettes of cymbidium orchid leaves dramatically hanging down from cliffs. Growing in wilderness and redolent with fragrance, orchids were often associated with the perseverance of principled gentlemen, and thus became one of the most popular subjects of scholar-artists' paintings.On the upper right corner of the far left panel, Yi wrote a short inscription stating that he painted the work at the age of 80.
The artist of this elegant painting is the formidable politician Yi Ha-eung (1820-1898), who is known for a seclusion policy that aimed to protect Korea and its sovereignty from foreign influences.
Eight-panel folding screen; ink on silk
Overall: 185 x 52.6 cm (72 13/16 x 20 11/16 in.); Each panel: 111.9 x 1.5 cm (44 1/16 x 9/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the heart of 19th-century Korea, a figure emerged whose influence would stretch beyond politics and into the delicate world of art. Yi Ha-eung, born in 1820, was like a river that wound its way through the dynamic landscape of his country, shaping its course. As regent for his son, King Gojong, who took the throne at the tender age of thirteen, Yi ruled with a wisdom that sometimes eluded those in power.
From 1866 to 1873, as the weight of governance rested upon his shoulders, Yi Ha-eung's spirit found solace in a different form of expression—art. He was more than just a powerful man; he was a master of "literati art," a genre that blossomed during this period, reflecting the refined tastes and intellectual pursuits of scholar-artists. Among them, he stood as a beacon, particularly celebrated for his prowess in painting orchids, which were known as one of the "Four Gentlemen" of art, alongside plum, chrysanthemum, and bamboo.
Picture this: an eight-panel folding screen, its surface alive with the rhythmic dance of cymbidium orchids. Yi fashioned them with monochrome ink, the only palette he needed to capture grace. Each leaf appears on the brink of a gentle downfall, dramatically arching from cliffs, like soft whispers of nature reaching for the ground below. In those elegant forms, there is a profound sense of resilience. The orchids grew wild and unfettered, their fragrance filling the air, embodying the perseverance of principled gentlemen—an ideal that stood tall amidst the chaotic currents of the time.
In a humble corner of the far left panel, Yi inscribed a fleeting detail—a note that he completed this masterpiece at the age of eighty. Imagine him, steady-handed yet contemplative, pouring his soul into the strokes, reflecting on a life rich with both struggle and triumph. Each line on that surface spoke of his journey and his love for the arts, creating a bridge between the regal and the personal.
In this elegant display, Yi Ha-eung's spirit glows brightly, a peaceful reminder of the beauty that comes when one's heart and tradition interweave, crafting not only art but also stories that resonate through the ages.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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