An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Books and Scholars’ Accoutrementslate 1800s
Yi Taek-gyun
First produced around the second half of the eighteenth century, <em>chaekgado</em> (literally, “pictures of bookshelves”) flourished throughout the 1800s as a royal emblem. And soon this pictorial genre became a popular furnishing item for aristocrats' elegant studies. The third panel from the right bears a hidden seal that reveals the artist: Yi Taek-gyun, a prominent court artist active in the late 1800s.
A convincing hypothesis that connects the Korean <em>chaekgado</em> tradition with the Renaissance tradition of illusionistic studiolo through the technique of trompe-l'œil and Chinese Qing period treasured cabinet paintings was first made in Park Shim-eun's thesis (2002).
ten-panel folding screen; ink and color on silk
Overall: 197.5 x 395 cm (77 3/4 x 155 1/2 in.); Painting only: 139.3 x 330.8 cm (54 13/16 x 130 1/4 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In the quietude of the past, when the sun cast golden beams on the polished wooden desks of aristocrats, a unique form of artistry blossomed in Korea. It was during the latter half of the eighteenth century that a beautiful genre, known as <em>chaekgado</em>, emerged—a term that simply means "pictures of bookshelves." These intricate paintings captured the essence of scholarly life, adorned with books and artifacts, inviting viewers into a world steeped in knowledge and culture.
As the 1800s unfolded, these shelf-like depictions transformed into a royal emblem, resting proudly in the studies of the elite. The walls of elegant mansions bore witness to the richness of this pictorial form, each artwork echoing the intellectual aspirations of its beholders. Imagine the soft rustle of parchment, the gentle clink of teacups, and the whispered conversations that filled these spaces, all highlighted by the charm of <em>chaekgado</em>.
One panel, positioned third from the right, hold a secret—the hidden seal that marks the identity of its creator. In graceful strokes, Yi Taek-gyun, a celebrated court artist of the late 1800s, breathed life into this piece. His artistry was not just a display; it was a testament to the reverence for knowledge and the arts that flourished in his time.
As you gaze upon his work today, you can almost hear the echoes of the past—rich stories woven between the bound volumes, whispering tales of wisdom, ambition, and the pursuit of learning, forever lingering in the serene spaces of history.
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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