12.1 Neo-Confucianism and its impact on Korean art

Neo-Confucianism, a philosophy blending Confucian ethics with Buddhist and Daoist ideas, deeply shaped Korean art during the Joseon Dynasty. It emphasized moral growth, nature's harmony, and scholarly pursuits, influencing artistic themes and styles.

This philosophy led to a rise in literati painting, featuring landscapes, scholarly activities, and symbolic motifs. Artists favored simplicity, restraint, and inner essence over outward appearances, reflecting Neo-Confucian values in their work.

Neo-Confucianism in Joseon Art

Core Principles and Artistic Influence

Top images from around the web for Core Principles and Artistic Influence

• 

  Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392–1910 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Reading: Neo-Confucianism and Fan Kuan’s Travelers by Streams and Mountains – Art Appreciation View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Korean Confucianism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392–1910 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Reading: Neo-Confucianism and Fan Kuan’s Travelers by Streams and Mountains – Art Appreciation View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Core Principles and Artistic Influence

• 

  Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392–1910 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Reading: Neo-Confucianism and Fan Kuan’s Travelers by Streams and Mountains – Art Appreciation View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Korean Confucianism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392–1910 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Reading: Neo-Confucianism and Fan Kuan’s Travelers by Streams and Mountains – Art Appreciation View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Neo-Confucianism synthesizes Confucian ethics with Buddhist and Daoist metaphysics emphasizing moral cultivation and investigation of things
  • Developed by Zhu Xi in Song Dynasty China
  • Influenced artistic representations of nature and human character
• Li (principle) and qi (material force) form the metaphysical foundation of Neo-Confucianism
  • Shapes artistic depictions of natural phenomena and human qualities
• "Sage within" concept promotes self-cultivation and moral perfection
  • Reflected in austere and contemplative nature of Joseon Dynasty art
  • Encourages introspection and spiritual growth through artistic practice
• Five Relationships central to Neo-Confucian social order
  • Ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder-younger, friend-friend
  • Often depicted in genre paintings and ancestral portraits
  • Influences composition and subject matter in Joseon art
• Neo-Confucian emphasis on education and scholarship led to rise of literati class
  • Literati became primary patrons and practitioners of art during Joseon Dynasty
  • Shaped artistic tastes and preferences
• Aesthetic ideals of simplicity, restraint, and harmony influenced Joseon art
  • Favored understated elegance over ostentatious display
  • Manifested in minimalist compositions and subtle color palettes
• "Painting the mind" (shimsanghwa) concept encouraged capturing essence of subjects
  • Prioritized inner qualities over mere outward appearances
  • Led to more abstract and symbolic representations in art

Symbolism and Motifs

• Four Gentlemen (sagunja) became iconic subjects in literati painting
  • Plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo
  • Each embodies specific Neo-Confucian virtues (resilience, purity, perseverance, integrity)
• Landscape painting (sansukhwa) evolved to reflect Neo-Confucian cosmology
  • Mountains and water symbolize dynamic interplay of yin and yang
  • Represents harmony of nature and universal principles
• Ten symbols of longevity (sipjangsaeng) reflect Neo-Confucian concepts
  • Includes sun, mountains, water, clouds, rocks, pine trees, turtles, cranes, deer, and mushrooms
  • Represents cosmic order and pursuit of moral perfection
• "Confucian gentleman" (seonbi) became recurring theme
  • Influences depictions of scholars, their activities, and material culture
  • Represents ideal of moral cultivation and scholarly pursuits

Neo-Confucianism & Korean Literati Painting

Development and Characteristics

• Literati painting (muninhwa) emerged as distinct genre during Joseon Dynasty
  • Closely tied to Neo-Confucian emphasis on scholarly pursuits and moral cultivation
  • Practiced primarily by scholar-officials rather than professional artists
• Landscape painting evolved to reflect Neo-Confucian worldview
  • Mountains and water symbolize harmony of nature and universal principles
  • Depicts ideal settings for scholarly retreat and contemplation
• Integration of painting, calligraphy, and poetry (samjeol) in single artwork
  • Exemplifies Neo-Confucian ideal of cultivated scholar
  • Demonstrates unity of the arts and holistic approach to artistic expression
• Practice of adding calligraphy and personal seals to paintings
  • Reinforces Neo-Confucian ideal of scholar-artist
  • Adds layers of meaning and personal expression to artworks
• "Painting with a bamboo brush" (jukhwa) embodied moral integrity and resilience
  • Influenced both technique and subject matter
  • Emphasizes simplicity and directness in brushwork

Subjects and Themes

• Scholarly pursuits and reclusion in nature frequently depicted
  • Reflects Neo-Confucian values of self-cultivation and detachment from worldly affairs
  • Includes scenes of reading, writing, and contemplation in natural settings
• True-view landscape painting (jingyeong sansu) developed in late Joseon period
  • Reflected Neo-Confucian emphasis on empirical observation
  • Depicted actual Korean landscapes rather than idealized Chinese-style scenes
• Genre paintings (pungsokhwa) depict everyday life and social interactions
  • Reflects Neo-Confucian ideals of social harmony and proper conduct
  • Provides insight into Joseon society and cultural practices
• Ancestral portrait paintings (yeongjeong) proliferated
  • Reflects Neo-Confucian emphasis on filial piety and ancestor veneration
  • Developed specific artistic conventions for creation and display

Neo-Confucianism's Impact on Joseon Art

Aesthetic Preferences and Techniques

• Restrained and minimalist style favored in Neo-Confucian aesthetics
  • Often employs monochrome ink (sumukhwa) or limited color palettes
  • Conveys depth and spiritual essence through simplicity
• Emphasis on capturing inner qualities and essence of subjects
  • Led to more abstract and symbolic representations in art
  • Prioritizes spiritual and philosophical content over realistic depiction
• Integration of various art forms encouraged
  • Painting, calligraphy, and poetry often combined in single artwork
  • Reflects Neo-Confucian ideal of holistic cultivation
• Shift in ceramic production towards simplicity and elegance
  • Favored simple, elegant forms and subtle glazes
  • Reflected values of restraint and inner beauty
  • Examples include white porcelain (baekja) and buncheong ware

Social and Cultural Influence

• Rise of literati class as primary patrons and practitioners of art
  • Shaped artistic tastes and preferences during Joseon Dynasty
  • Led to emphasis on scholarly themes and techniques
• Neo-Confucian social order reflected in artistic subjects
  • Five Relationships depicted in genre paintings and portraits
  • Hierarchical compositions reflect social structures
• Emphasis on moral cultivation and self-improvement
  • Influenced choice of subjects and symbolic motifs
  • Encouraged introspective and contemplative approach to art-making
• Integration of art with daily life and scholarly pursuits
  • Paintings and calligraphy used for meditation and self-cultivation
  • Artistic practice seen as extension of moral and intellectual development