🇰🇷Arts of Korea Unit 6 – Confucian Influence on Korean Art

Historical Context

• Confucianism originated in China during the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 BCE) and was developed by the philosopher Confucius (551-479 BCE)
• Confucianism became the dominant philosophical and ethical system in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
• Confucianism spread to other parts of East Asia, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, where it had a significant impact on social, political, and cultural development
• In Korea, Confucianism was introduced during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE-668 CE) and became the official state ideology during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
• Confucianism provided a framework for social order, emphasizing hierarchy, loyalty, and filial piety
• The adoption of Confucianism in Korea led to the establishment of a centralized bureaucracy and the creation of a scholar-official class (yangban)
• Confucian values and principles deeply influenced Korean art, literature, and education, shaping the country's cultural identity for centuries

Key Confucian Principles

• The Five Constants (wuchang) form the foundation of Confucian ethics and include humaneness (ren), righteousness (yi), propriety (li), wisdom (zhi), and trustworthiness (xin)
• Filial piety (xiao) emphasizes the importance of respect and obedience to one's parents and ancestors, extending to loyalty to the ruler and the state
• The concept of li (ritual propriety) governs social interactions and maintains harmony in relationships and society
• Confucianism stresses the importance of education and self-cultivation (xiushen) as a means to become a junzi (noble person) and contribute to society
• The rectification of names (zhengming) ensures that individuals fulfill their roles and responsibilities according to their social position
• The Doctrine of the Mean (zhongyong) promotes balance, moderation, and harmony in all aspects of life
• Confucianism emphasizes the importance of moral leadership and the role of the scholar-official in guiding society based on ethical principles

Confucianism's Arrival in Korea

• Confucianism was introduced to Korea during the Three Kingdoms period, particularly through the kingdom of Baekje, which had close ties with China
• The earliest evidence of Confucian influence in Korea dates back to the 4th century CE, with the establishment of the Taehak (National Confucian Academy) in Goguryeo
• During the Unified Silla period (668-935 CE), Confucianism gained prominence as the state ideology, with the establishment of the Gukhak (National Confucian University) and the civil service examination system
• The Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) further promoted Confucianism, with the construction of Confucian temples and the expansion of the civil service examination system
• The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) adopted Neo-Confucianism as the official state ideology, which had a profound impact on Korean society, politics, and culture
• Neo-Confucianism, developed by Chinese philosophers such as Zhu Xi (1130-1200), emphasized the importance of moral cultivation and the investigation of things (gewu)

Impact on Korean Social Structure

• Confucianism established a hierarchical social order based on the Five Relationships (wulun), which defined the roles and responsibilities of individuals in society
• The scholar-official class (yangban) emerged as the ruling elite, selected through the civil service examination system based on Confucian classics
• The yangban class enjoyed privileges and prestige, while the lower classes (sangmin and cheonmin) were expected to show deference and obedience
• Confucian values emphasized the importance of education, leading to the establishment of private academies (seowon) and the proliferation of Confucian scholarship
• The Confucian emphasis on filial piety and ancestor worship strengthened the patriarchal family structure and the importance of lineage and clan ties
• Women's roles were primarily confined to the domestic sphere, with Confucian virtues such as chastity, obedience, and self-sacrifice being highly valued
• The Confucian social order remained largely intact until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Korea faced internal reforms and external pressures from Western powers and Japan

Confucian Themes in Art

• Confucian themes and values heavily influenced Korean art, particularly during the Joseon Dynasty
• Portraits of Confucian scholars and officials (munjado) were commissioned to honor their achievements and serve as moral exemplars
• Paintings of the Four Gracious Plants (sagunja), namely plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums, and bamboo, symbolized Confucian virtues such as resilience, purity, and integrity
• Chaekgeori, or "scholar's accouterments," still-life paintings depicted objects associated with Confucian scholarship, such as books, brushes, and inkstones
• Calligraphy, highly valued in Confucian culture, was considered an essential skill for scholars and officials, with works often featuring Confucian texts and maxims
• Landscape paintings (sansu-hwa) often incorporated Confucian symbolism, such as gnarled pine trees representing perseverance and longevity
• Confucian themes were also prevalent in decorative arts, such as ceramics, lacquerware, and furniture, with motifs and inscriptions reflecting Confucian values and ideals

Artistic Techniques and Mediums

• Korean artists employed various techniques and mediums to express Confucian themes and aesthetics
• Ink painting (muksa-hwa) was a prominent technique, using black ink on paper or silk to create monochromatic works emphasizing brushwork and tonal variations
• Colored paintings (chaesaek-hwa) incorporated mineral pigments to create vibrant and detailed works, often depicting Confucian themes and symbols
• Woodblock printing (mokpan-hwa) was used to reproduce Confucian texts, illustrations, and popular images, making them more accessible to a wider audience
• Ceramics, particularly porcelain, were decorated with Confucian motifs and inscriptions, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the scholar-official class
• Metalwork, including bronze and silver, was used to create ritual vessels, incense burners, and other objects associated with Confucian ceremonies and scholarly pursuits
• Lacquerware, often inlaid with mother-of-pearl (najeon chilgi), featured Confucian themes and symbols, such as the Four Gracious Plants and Chinese characters
• Embroidery and textile arts, primarily practiced by women, incorporated Confucian motifs and virtues into clothing, screens, and decorative items

Notable Artists and Works

• An Gyeon (active 15th century) was a prominent court painter known for his landscapes incorporating Confucian symbolism, such as his "Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land"
• Kim Hongdo (1745-1806), one of the most celebrated painters of the Joseon Dynasty, depicted everyday life and Confucian themes in his works, such as "Portrait of a Confucian Scholar"
• Jeong Seon (1676-1759), a pioneer of the "true-view" landscape style (jingyeong sansu), incorporated Confucian elements into his paintings, such as "Clearing after Rain on Mount Inwang"
• Sin Yunbok (1758-1816), known for his genre paintings and portraits, often depicted Confucian scholars and their activities, such as "A Scholar's Accouterments"
• Kim Jeonghui (1786-1856), a renowned calligrapher and scholar, created works that exemplified Confucian aesthetics and values, such as his "Hunminjeongeum" (The Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People)
• Yi Hwang (1501-1570), a prominent Neo-Confucian scholar, calligrapher, and artist, created works that reflected his philosophical and artistic ideals, such as his "Calligraphy of the Heart Sutra"
• Shin Saimdang (1504-1551), a rare example of a celebrated female artist in Joseon Korea, created paintings and calligraphy that embodied Confucian virtues and artistic skill, such as her "Insects and Plants"

Legacy and Modern Interpretations

• Confucianism continues to influence Korean society and culture, although its role has diminished in the face of modernization and Western influences
• Confucian values, such as respect for elders, emphasis on education, and social harmony, remain deeply ingrained in Korean society
• Modern and contemporary Korean artists have reinterpreted Confucian themes and aesthetics in their works, often combining traditional techniques with new media and perspectives
• Artists such as Park Saeng-kwang (1904-1985) and Lee Ufan (b. 1936) have incorporated Confucian philosophy and minimalist aesthetics into their paintings and installations
• The revival of traditional Korean arts and crafts, such as ceramics, lacquerware, and textiles, has led to a renewed interest in Confucian motifs and symbolism
• Confucian themes and values have been explored in modern Korean literature, cinema, and popular culture, often as a means of critiquing or reexamining traditional social norms and expectations
• The legacy of Confucianism in Korean art serves as a reminder of the deep cultural and philosophical roots that have shaped the country's artistic expression and identity
• Contemporary artists and scholars continue to engage with Confucian ideas and aesthetics, reinterpreting and adapting them to address the challenges and concerns of modern Korean society