A Glimpse into Joseon Dynasty Art: Murals from Changdeokgung Palace at the National Palace Museum of Korea
Pretty murals in the palace?
For those who can't enter Changdeokgung Palace, what are you gonna do?
This class society is crazy, we need a revolution.
Magnificent Murals of Changdeokgung Palace
August 14, 2025 ~ October 12, 2025
Visited an exhibition after almost N months!
I've been neglecting my blog due to being busy.
Went to Seoul with my mom on Friday and discovered the National Palace Museum of Korea nearby!
I didn't plan to visit,
but it had been a while since I visited an exhibition in Seoul,
so I enjoyed the cool and pleasant viewing experience ✌️
Magnificent Murals of Changdeokgung Palace
The National Palace Museum of Korea left such a good impression during the last Hwal-ot exhibition,
that I wanted to visit often!
BUT the distance became an issue...
However, this time, to celebrate its 20th anniversary,
the National Palace Museum of Korea has opened an exhibition
collecting the last court paintings that decorated the palace,
the murals from Heejungdang, Daejojeon, and Gyeonghunggak in Changdeokgung Palace!
It runs from August 14th to October 12th,
so it would be nice to visit for a day, right? ❤️
Wandering Through the Universe.
Geumgangsan Manmulchoseunggyeongdo (Panoramic View of Mt. Geumgang)
This mural was in Heejungdang, Changdeokgung Palace.
Geumgangsan Manmulchoseunggyeongdo
Along with the beautiful Mt. Geumgang,
I felt a majestic energy from the mural.
Geumgangsan's twelve thousand peaks!
The beautifully unfolded scenery is the best ????
It was meticulously crafted to such a large size,
so the feeling is different when you look at it up close.
The vast world, East and West
Could there be another such utopia?
Samseongwanpado (Three Immortals Viewing the Waves)
Wishing for Eternal Life
The key point of Samseongwanpado is the three immortals
talking while looking at the sea.
But I didn't take pictures of the immortals
and just kept taking pictures of the waves.
That's why you should read the explanations carefully.
The conversation of the three immortals is shown separately,
and it's fun to read.
It's a conversation where they boast
about how long they've lived,
but they just seemed like old kids.
Compared to my age, the two of you
are no different from mayflies or mushrooms
that are born in the morning and die in the evening. <So childish
Don't brag about that.
Joilseongwando (Sunrise Over the Eastern Sea)
This was on the east side of the main hall of Gyeonghunggak in Changdeokgung Palace.
Joilseongwando
It depicts a vast landscape with a rising sun.
It's beautiful to look at as a whole, of course,
but if you look closely,
there are quite a lot of hidden images drawn, such as
peaches, turtles, children, and immortal's pavilions.
It would be fun to find them too.
Bonghwangdo (Phoenix Painting) & Baekhakdo (White Crane Painting)
Magnificent Murals of Changdeokgung Palace
The last part of Part 1 is Bonghwangdo and Baekhakdo!
Bonghwangdo depicts 10 phoenixes symbolizing peace,
and Baekhakdo depicts 16 cranes, one of the Sipjangsaeng (ten symbols of longevity),
wishing for the royal family's health and longevity.
I got the impression that both murals were gorgeous,
but I liked the Baekhakdo Chobon (preliminary sketch) more than
Bonghwangdo and Baekhakdo themselves.
Baekhakdo Chobon (Preliminary Sketch)
Reading the explanation with the Baekhakdo Chobon
and seeing the differences with Baekhakdo is
an interesting point!
Without directly reflecting the elements in the preliminary sketch,
they added new things like the moon and clouds to
complete Baekhakdo more richly.
There are memos between the preliminary sketches too!
Look for them everywhere ✌️
In Part 2, which continues,
there's an exhibition of royal furniture and props ~
The explanation says it was made elegantly and neatly,
but looking at the mother-of-pearl inlaid in the furniture and the delicately drawn pictures,
I think it's right to call it gorgeous.
Anyway, I realize the great care put into it
and that Koreans are a nation of
genuine and excessive embellishment from their genes.
Accessories were also decorated with precious materials
such as pearls, coral, and jade,
and they are still beautiful even after a long time has passed.
When not in use, they were
placed in silk wrapping cloths and boxes
to prevent scratches.
Indeed, a nation of excessive embellishment...
Irworobongdo (Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks) ~ This is not related to the mural exhibition X
Lastly, my favorite Irworobongdo ~
The National Palace Museum of Korea has interesting special exhibitions,
but the permanent exhibition halls also have a lot to see.
It's a free exhibition in Seoul!
If you come nearby, try visiting ~
National Palace Museum of Korea
While you're at the National Palace Museum of Korea,
go to Gwanghwamun too ~ and Seochon Village too ~
Anyway
End!
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