7.3 Bird-and-flower painting

Bird-and-flower painting emerged in Korea during the Goryeo dynasty, blending Chinese influences with native Korean elements. This genre reflects the Korean appreciation for nature and its symbolic significance, emphasizing simplicity and elegance in composition and brushwork.

The paintings convey cultural values through symbolism, with motifs like peonies representing wealth and magpies symbolizing good fortune. Artists use traditional techniques, including meticulous brushwork and ink manipulation, to create works that balance realism and abstraction while incorporating meaningful cultural elements.

Origins of bird-and-flower painting

• Emerged as a distinct genre in Korean art during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392)
• Reflects the Korean appreciation for nature and its symbolic significance in culture
• Demonstrates the cultural exchange and artistic influences between China and Korea

Chinese influences

Top images from around the web for Chinese influences

• 

  The Tang Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Song Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Culture Under the Song Dynasty | Early World Civilizations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Tang Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Song Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Chinese influences

• 

  The Tang Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Song Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Culture Under the Song Dynasty | Early World Civilizations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Tang Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Song Dynasty | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Tang and Song dynasty paintings served as early models for Korean artists
• Introduced sophisticated techniques for depicting flora and fauna realistically
• Brought Confucian and Taoist philosophical concepts into artistic representations

Korean adaptations

• Incorporated native Korean plants and birds into compositions
• Developed a more restrained and elegant style compared to Chinese counterparts
• Emphasized simplicity and minimalism in composition and brushwork

Symbolism and meaning

• Plays a crucial role in Korean bird-and-flower paintings, conveying cultural values
• Reflects Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist philosophical concepts
• Serves as visual language for expressing wishes for prosperity, longevity, and harmony

Auspicious motifs

• Peony symbolizes wealth, honor, and feminine beauty
• Pine trees represent longevity and steadfastness
• Magpies often depicted to symbolize good fortune and joyful tidings
• Pairs of birds frequently used to represent marital harmony and fidelity

Seasonal representations

• Plum blossoms signify winter and perseverance
• Chrysanthemums associated with autumn and scholarly pursuits
• Lotus flowers represent summer, purity, and enlightenment
• Orchids symbolize spring, refinement, and moral integrity

Techniques and materials

• Utilizes traditional East Asian painting methods and materials
• Emphasizes the importance of brush control and ink manipulation
• Incorporates both monochrome and color techniques to achieve desired effects

Brushwork styles

• Gongbi (meticulous brush technique) involves detailed, fine lines for realistic depictions
• Xieyi (freehand style) uses bold, expressive strokes to capture the essence of subjects
• Combines wet and dry brush techniques to create texture and depth
• Employs the "boneless" technique for painting flower petals without outlines

Pigments and colors

• Traditional mineral pigments (azurite, malachite, cinnabar) used for vibrant colors
• Ink wash techniques create subtle gradations of black, gray, and sepia tones
• White lead pigment applied for highlighting and creating luminous effects
• Natural dyes extracted from plants used for softer, more muted color palettes

Notable Korean artists

• Contributed significantly to the development and refinement of bird-and-flower painting
• Established distinctive styles that influenced subsequent generations of artists
• Often held official positions in the royal court or were associated with scholarly circles

Joseon dynasty painters

• Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) renowned for delicate depictions of flowers, birds, and insects
• Byeon Sangbyeok (18th century) famous for his realistic portrayals of flowers and birds
• Kim Hong-do (1745-1806) incorporated bird-and-flower motifs into genre paintings
• Jang Seung-eop (1843-1897) known for bold, expressive brushwork in floral compositions

Modern interpretations

• Kim Ki-chang (1913-2001) blended traditional techniques with modern sensibilities
• Park Rehyun (1920-1976) incorporated abstract elements into bird-and-flower compositions
• Oh Junggeun (b. 1954) explores contemporary themes while referencing traditional motifs
• Suh Yongsun (b. 1951) reinterprets bird-and-flower painting through Western-influenced styles

Composition and design

• Emphasizes aesthetic principles rooted in East Asian artistic traditions
• Strives for visual harmony and balance while conveying symbolic meanings
• Incorporates elements of both realism and abstraction to create compelling images

Balance and harmony

• Asymmetrical compositions create dynamic visual interest
• Careful placement of elements guides the viewer's eye through the painting
• Juxtaposition of different shapes and forms (angular branches with soft petals) creates contrast
• Use of color harmonies enhances overall visual coherence and emotional impact

Negative space usage

• Empty areas (baek-seon) considered as important as painted elements
• Creates sense of depth and atmosphere in the composition
• Allows painted elements to "breathe" and stand out more prominently
• Reflects Korean aesthetic preference for simplicity and restraint

Themes and subjects

• Draws inspiration from the natural world and its symbolic associations
• Reflects Korean cultural values, beliefs, and aesthetic sensibilities
• Evolves over time to incorporate new subjects and interpretations

Native Korean flora

• Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) depicted as national flower of Korea
• Pine trees featured prominently, symbolizing resilience and longevity
• Bamboo represents integrity and moral uprightness in Confucian thought
• Wild orchids (ran) associated with scholarly refinement and reclusion

Symbolic bird species

• Cranes symbolize longevity, wisdom, and connection to the heavenly realm
• Magpies often paired with tigers in folk art, representing good fortune
• Mandarin ducks depicted as symbols of conjugal love and fidelity
• Peacocks associated with nobility and beauty, often featured in royal commissions

Cultural significance

• Reflects and reinforces Korean cultural values and aesthetic preferences
• Serves as visual representation of philosophical and spiritual concepts
• Influences various aspects of Korean material culture and daily life

Royal court patronage

• Bird-and-flower paintings commissioned for palace decorations and screens
• Artists employed by the royal court to create works for ceremonial purposes
• Paintings used as diplomatic gifts to foreign envoys and neighboring countries
• Royal collections preserved and documented, influencing artistic standards

Influence on decorative arts

• Motifs from bird-and-flower paintings incorporated into ceramic designs
• Embroidery and textile patterns often feature floral and avian themes
• Lacquerware decorated with intricate bird-and-flower inlay designs
• Architectural elements (roof tiles, door panels) adorned with symbolic motifs

Evolution over time

• Demonstrates the dynamic nature of Korean artistic traditions
• Reflects changing social, political, and cultural contexts throughout history
• Adapts to new influences while maintaining core aesthetic principles

Early Joseon vs late Joseon

• Early Joseon period emphasized more naturalistic depictions influenced by Chinese models
• Mid-Joseon saw rise of true-view landscape painting, influencing bird-and-flower compositions
• Late Joseon period witnessed increased stylization and focus on symbolic meanings
• Minhwa (folk painting) tradition emerged, incorporating bird-and-flower motifs in vibrant styles

Contemporary adaptations

• Modern artists reinterpret traditional themes using new media and techniques
• Digital art and photography explore bird-and-flower subjects in innovative ways
• Fusion of Eastern and Western artistic styles creates unique contemporary expressions
• Environmental concerns influence depictions of native flora and fauna in current works

Artistic styles

• Encompasses a range of approaches to depicting birds and flowers
• Reflects individual artists' preferences and broader artistic movements
• Demonstrates the versatility and expressive potential of the genre

Realistic vs stylized

• Realistic style aims for accurate depiction of natural forms and textures
• Stylized approach emphasizes decorative qualities and symbolic meanings
• Combination of realistic and stylized elements creates distinctive Korean aesthetic
• Level of stylization often correlates with intended function and audience of the artwork

Monochrome vs colorful

• Monochrome paintings (sumuk-hwa) showcase mastery of ink brush techniques
• Colorful works (chaesaek-hwa) utilize vibrant mineral pigments for visual impact
• Monochrome style associated with scholarly and contemplative traditions
• Colorful paintings often favored for decorative purposes and auspicious symbolism

Role in Korean art history

• Represents a significant and enduring genre within Korean painting tradition
• Reflects broader cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic developments over time
• Contributes to the unique identity of Korean art within East Asian artistic traditions

Relationship to other genres

• Shares techniques and aesthetic principles with landscape and figure painting
• Incorporates elements of calligraphy, emphasizing the importance of brushwork
• Influences and is influenced by decorative arts and craft traditions
• Intersects with religious art, particularly in Buddhist and Taoist iconography

Impact on national identity

• Helps define distinctive Korean artistic sensibilities and cultural values
• Serves as visual representation of Korea's natural beauty and biodiversity
• Plays role in cultural diplomacy and international recognition of Korean art
• Inspires contemporary artists to explore themes of tradition and modernity in Korean culture