Korea

Korea represents an enduring artistic and cultural nexus centered on the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and adjacent islands. Geographically vital, the region is bordered by China and Russia to the north across the Amnok and Duman rivers, and faces Japan across the Korea Strait to the southeast, fostering centuries of intense cross-cultural synthesis reflected in its material history. The recorded active period, stretching from circa 57 BCE to 1801 CE, reflects a prolonged and sophisticated tradition of aesthetic production.

The surviving oeuvre showcases mastery across a variety of media, including five major textile pieces, three significant paintings, and diverse metalwork. These works range from the practical and ornamental, such as the elaborate Earring/ornament, Buckle, and Loops for earrings, to sophisticated pictorial narratives. The tradition encompasses profound religious subject matter, exemplified by the devotional painting Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva with Assembly, alongside compelling secular pieces like A Pair of Carp. Notable museum-quality examples of this extensive cultural legacy are preserved in major Western institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago.

The continuity of this peninsular tradition remains historically vital, though its political context was dramatically redefined in the mid-20th century. Following World War II in 1945, the region was politically partitioned near the 38th parallel, resulting in the establishment of two separate nations in 1948 and the subsequent Korean War from 1950 to 1953. It is a remarkable feature of this legacy that two nations, separated by a devastating conflict, share an entirely unified artistic history spanning nearly two millennia.

Today, scholars and collectors rely on international holdings to study these collective artistic achievements. Digital records of early Korea paintings and historical artifacts, increasingly available in the public domain, ensure that enthusiasts can access downloadable artwork and high-quality prints for study and personal appreciation.