🇰🇷Arts of Korea Unit 2 – Three Kingdoms Period Art

Historical Context

• Three Kingdoms period in Korea lasted from 57 BCE to 668 CE, characterized by the rival states of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla
• Goguryeo (37 BCE - 668 CE) was the largest and most powerful of the three kingdoms, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies
  • Controlled much of the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria
  • Capital cities: Jolbon and Pyongyang
• Baekje (18 BCE - 660 CE) was a maritime power with strong cultural ties to China and Japan
  • Controlled the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula
  • Capital cities: Ungjin (present-day Gongju) and Sabi (present-day Buyeo)
• Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE) was the smallest of the three kingdoms but eventually unified the peninsula after forming an alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China
  • Controlled the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula
  • Capital city: Gyeongju
• Period of political instability, frequent warfare, and shifting alliances among the three kingdoms
• Introduction and spread of Buddhism from China had a significant impact on art and culture during this period

Key Artistic Styles

• Goguryeo art style known for its bold, dynamic, and expressive qualities
  • Characterized by vivid colors, energetic brushwork, and a focus on movement and action
  • Influenced by Chinese and Central Asian art styles (Tang Dynasty, Silk Road)
• Baekje art style refined, elegant, and influenced by Chinese and Japanese artistic traditions
  • Emphasized graceful lines, subtle colors, and intricate details
  • Incorporated Buddhist iconography and motifs
• Silla art style synthesized elements from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Tang Dynasty China
  • Known for its sophisticated craftsmanship, use of precious materials (gold, silver), and Buddhist themes
  • Developed a unique style of gold crowns and jewelry
• Buddhist art flourished during this period, including sculpture, painting, and architecture
  • Introduced new iconography, such as the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and guardian deities
  • Incorporated local artistic traditions and symbolism

Major Artworks and Artifacts

• Goguryeo tomb murals depicting daily life, warfare, and mythological scenes
  • Anak Tomb No. 3 (357 CE) features a famous hunting scene and celestial deities
  • Ssangyeongchong Tomb (5th century) showcases a procession of warriors and horses
• Baekje gilt-bronze incense burner (6th-7th century) exemplifies the refined metalwork of the period
  • Intricate openwork design and Buddhist iconography
• Silla golden crowns and jewelry showcase the kingdom's wealth and craftsmanship
  • Geumgwanchong Gold Crown (5th-6th century) features a tree-like design with jade and glass beads
  • Cheonmachong Gold Crown (5th-6th century) adorned with gold spangles and pendant ornaments
• Seokguram Grotto (8th century), a Silla-era Buddhist cave temple with a monumental seated Buddha statue
  • Represents the culmination of Silla Buddhist art and architecture
• Pensive Bodhisattva (National Treasure No. 83) from the Silla period
  • Gilt-bronze statue depicting a bodhisattva in a contemplative pose
  • Epitomizes the serene and introspective qualities of Silla Buddhist sculpture

Techniques and Materials

• Tomb murals created using mineral pigments on lime plaster
  • Colors derived from natural sources (red ochre, malachite green, azurite blue)
  • Techniques included outlining, shading, and color gradation
• Metalwork utilized sophisticated casting, chasing, and gilding techniques
  • Lost-wax casting used to create intricate bronze and gold objects
  • Granulation and filigree work added fine details to jewelry and decorative items
• Stone carving employed for Buddhist sculpture and architectural elements
  • Granite and limestone were common materials
  • Relief carving and free-standing sculpture techniques were used
• Lacquerware and wooden objects were also produced, although fewer examples have survived due to the perishable nature of the materials
• Textile arts, such as silk weaving and embroidery, were highly developed during this period
  • Goguryeo and Baekje were known for their fine silk production

Influential Artists and Patrons

• Damjing, a renowned Goguryeo painter active in the 6th century
  • Credited with painting the murals in the Ssangyeongchong Tomb
  • Considered a master of portraying dynamic action and vivid colors
• King Wideok of Baekje (r. 554-598) was a significant patron of the arts
  • Sponsored the construction of Buddhist temples and the production of religious artworks
  • Sent artists and craftsmen to Japan to share Baekje's artistic traditions
• Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632-647) supported the arts and Buddhism
  • Commissioned the construction of the Hwangnyongsa Temple, a major Buddhist center
  • Patronized the production of Buddhist sculpture and metalwork
• Monk-artists played a crucial role in the creation of Buddhist art
  • Hyecho, a Silla monk who traveled to India and wrote the "Memoir of the Pilgrimage to the Five Regions of India"
  • Contributed to the transmission of Buddhist iconography and styles

Cultural and Religious Influences

• Confucianism and Taoism, introduced from China, influenced political ideology and social values
  • Confucian principles of loyalty, filial piety, and social hierarchy were reflected in art
  • Taoist themes of harmony with nature and immortality were depicted in tomb murals
• Buddhism, which arrived in Korea during the 4th century, had a profound impact on art and culture
  • Buddhist teachings and iconography became central to artistic expression
  • Temples, monasteries, and cave shrines were built to house religious artworks and serve as centers of learning
• Indigenous Korean shamanism and animistic beliefs coexisted with imported religions
  • Shamanic motifs and symbols were incorporated into Buddhist art
  • Nature spirits and guardian deities were depicted in tomb murals and decorative objects
• Cultural exchanges with China, particularly during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), greatly influenced Korean art
  • Chinese artistic styles, techniques, and motifs were adapted and localized
  • Korean artists and monks traveled to China to study and bring back new ideas

Legacy and Impact

• Three Kingdoms period art laid the foundation for the artistic traditions of unified Silla and subsequent Korean dynasties
  • Silla art style, which synthesized elements from the Three Kingdoms, became the dominant artistic tradition
  • Buddhist art and architecture continued to flourish during the unified Silla period (668-935)
• Goguryeo tomb murals provide invaluable insights into the daily life, warfare, and beliefs of the period
  • Serve as important historical and archaeological resources
  • Influenced later mural painting traditions in Korea and Japan
• Baekje art and culture had a significant impact on ancient Japan
  • Baekje artists and craftsmen introduced new artistic styles and techniques to Japan
  • Contributed to the development of Buddhist art and architecture in Japan (Asuka period)
• Silla metalwork, particularly golden crowns and jewelry, are considered masterpieces of Korean art
  • Showcase the technical skill and aesthetic sensibilities of Silla artisans
  • Influenced later Korean metalwork traditions
• Three Kingdoms period art demonstrates the cultural diversity and artistic exchanges that shaped early Korean civilization
  • Reflects the complex political, religious, and social dynamics of the time
  • Highlights Korea's role in the broader context of East Asian art history

Key Takeaways

• The Three Kingdoms period was characterized by the rival states of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, each with distinct artistic styles and cultural influences
• Buddhism, introduced from China, had a profound impact on art and culture during this period, leading to the creation of numerous Buddhist artworks and monuments
• Goguryeo art is known for its bold, dynamic qualities, as seen in the tomb murals depicting daily life, warfare, and mythological scenes
• Baekje art is characterized by its refined elegance and influence on ancient Japanese art and culture
• Silla art synthesized elements from the other two kingdoms and the Tang Dynasty of China, known for its sophisticated craftsmanship and use of precious materials
• Metalwork, particularly in gold and bronze, reached high levels of technical and artistic achievement during this period
• The Three Kingdoms period laid the foundation for the artistic traditions of unified Silla and subsequent Korean dynasties, demonstrating the cultural diversity and exchanges that shaped early Korean civilization