The plum blossoms in full bloom hung from the tree branches like snowflakes, covering the entire mountain. The owner in red clothing, sitting in a small house surrounded by plum blossoms, was immersed in nature. The person crossing the bridge midway up the mountain is certainly his friend. This is "Plum Blossom Studio" by the painter Goram Jeon Gi (1825-1854), who died young at age 30. Despite being from the chungin (middle) class and departing the world at a young age, Jeon Gi left behind masterpieces of extraordinary quality—he was none other than a disciple of Chusa Kim Jeong-hui. While dealing with traditional subjects, the background that enabled him to establish an individualistic artistic world quite different from the commonly known Joseon calligraphy and painting styles was precisely his teacher Kim Jeong-hui.
A special exhibition titled "Chusa's Painting Lessons," examining the artistic world of Kim Jeong-hui (1786-1856), the greatest intellectual of the late Joseon period, and surveying his influence on later generations, is being held at the Daegu Kansong Art Museum until July 5. While there have been many exhibitions about Chusa focusing on evidential studies, the Chusa style, and calligraphy works, exhibitions centered on his paintings like this one have been rare. Notably, the National Treasure "Sehan-do" (Winter Scene), which had only been shown in Seoul and Jeju, is being exhibited in the Yeongnam region for the first time, drawing attention. This year marks the 240th anniversary of Chusa's birth and the 120th anniversary of Kansong Jeon Hyeong-pil's birth. For this exhibition, not only the "Kansong Collection" but also the National Museum of Korea, Leeum Museum of Art, and other institutions have lent their collections, allowing visitors to see a total of 67 works across 47 items. However, "Sehan-do" will only be displayed until May 10, after which the Treasure "Nanmaengcheop" will be shown from May 12, and the Treasure "Buliseollando" will greet visitors from June 2 until the exhibition ends.
Chusa lived relatively long to age 70, but he was a tragic genius who spent more than 12 years in exile. "Sehan-do," painted in 1844 at his Jeju exile, was an expression of gratitude toward his disciple Yi Sang-jik, who procured rare books for his teacher during lonely times cut off from the world. Painted with dry brushstrokes depicting pine and cypress trees that retain their green even in midwinter, "Sehan-do" is regarded as the crystallization of Chusa's spirit.
In the summer of 1849, when Chusa finished his exile and returned to Seoul, his disciples held a critique session inviting their teacher to comment on their works. "Yerimgabeulrok" is a record of Chusa's detailed critiques on the works of 14 disciples. "Eight-Person Ink Landscape," the only surviving work among the 24 paintings from that time, is exhibited together.
While Chusa's representative works are excellent, another highlight is the plum blossom paintings by his disciples under the title "The Fragrance of Chusa Dwells in Plum Blossoms." Just as Western art has the "Impressionists," Joseon can boast of the "Chusa School"—visitors can encounter innovative and individualistic plum blossom paintings. "Red and White Plum Blossoms" by Jo Hui-ryong, a central figure of the Chusa School who respected Chusa while establishing his own artistic world, shows a powerful plum tree writhing like a dragon. Jeon Gi's "Plum Blossom Studio," displaying modern sophistication, also catches the eye. Yu Suk's "Plum Blossom Studio" is a work publicly revealed for the first time through this exhibition. Additionally, seven other works are being shown to the public for the first time, including Chusa's disciple Yu Jae-so's "Bamboo Grove and Strange Rocks" and "Leisure in a Mountain Pass," Yi Han-cheol's watercolor-like refreshing painting "Autumn Mountain and Distant Stream," Jo Jung-muk's "Immortal Hall Above the Clouds" and "Seeking Plum Blossoms in the Boat," and Heo Ryeon's "Manggyeongru Pavilion in Jeju."
Meanwhile, at the Kansong Art Museum in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, visitors can experience the collecting spirit of Kansong Jeon Hyeong-pil, who spent his personal fortune to acquire Korean cultural heritage at risk of being lost overseas during the Japanese colonial period, through a special exhibition titled "Cultural Patriotism: Our Spirit Protected by Conviction." In 1922, Japanese antique dealers established the "Gyeongseong Art Club," claiming to be Joseon's largest art auction institution. Since it was a major channel through which Korean cultural heritage flowed out to Japan, Kansong Jeon Hyeong-pil participated in 32 auctions from 1930 to 1944 through Japanese intermediaries, winning bids on approximately 350 items. This exhibition showcases 46 selected works among the artifacts purchased through auctions including the Gyeongseong Art Club at that time. The representative National Treasure "White Porcelain Bottle with Underglaze Blue, Iron, and Copper Design of Insects, Orchids, and Chrysanthemums" was won at auction in 1936 for 14,580 won—equivalent to the price of 15 tile-roofed houses at the time. As it was the highest price in auction history, the next day's newspaper ran an article titled "Joseon Dynasty Iron-decorated Large Bottle for 15,000 Won." "Eight Horses" by Owon Jang Seung-eop, a genius painter of the late Joseon period, is also on display. Visitors can also see "Chimgye," calligraphy by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui designated as a Treasure. Along with this, the Kansong Art Museum has unveiled a new artifact, the "Stone Tiger Statue," at the entrance to Bohwagak. The Qing Dynasty stone lion statues that had guarded the museum entrance were decided to be donated to China following the Korea-China summit in January. The stone tiger statue, the new guardian, resembles the tigers in folk paintings. The exhibition runs until June 14.
