From the Han River to Mt. Geumgang: An Autumn Excursion Through the Paintings of Jeong Seon (Gyeomjae)

[Financial News] Ferry crossings on the Han River, valleys in Yeongnam and peaks of Mt. Geumgang are linked across the canvas. An exhibition of scenic sites across the country painted by Jeong Seon (1676–1759) is on view in Daegu.
According to the Daegu Kansong Museum of Art on the 30th, the special exhibition “Jeong Seon (Gyeomjae) — Painting Joseon Through Joseon Eyes,” running through December 27, features works depicting 18 scenic sites across eight cities and provinces. The exhibition marks the 350th anniversary of Jeong Seon’s birth and includes 84 works comprising 216 pieces.■ From everyday life in Hanyang to Yeongnam during his years as a local officialJeong Seon’s true-view landscape paintings reflect both the excursion culture of late Joseon and his personal experiences. In an era when scholars visited scenic spots to write poetry and paint, Jeong socialized with friends and, while serving as a local official in various regions, depicted the country’s mountains and rivers on canvas.
While serving as magistrate of Yangcheon, Jeong completed the Treasure “Gyeonggyo Myeongseungcheop” by exchanging poetry and paintings with his lifelong friend Yi Byeong-yeon, known as Sacheon. It depicts old scenes from what are now Apgujeong and Namsan in Seoul, Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, Gwangnaru, the Sangam and Nanji Island areas, and Suseok-dong in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, among other places.
Jangdong Palgyeongcheop shows notable places in Jangdong, now the Hyoja-dong and Cheongun-dong areas of Seoul. “Suseong-dong” at the foot of Inwangsan, “Dokrakjeong,” a pavilion once situated on the mountainside east of the Blue House, and “Changuimun,” among others, convey the lives and pastimes of literati.
The Suseong-dong Valley is one example of a landscape in a painting leading to the restoration of a real-world site. The Seoul Metropolitan Government restored the valley on the site of the demolished Okin Model Apartments and opened it to the public in July 2012. A viewing area was also created near the entrance to the valley, which is believed to be where Jeong painted the work.
Jeong traveled widely through the mountains and rivers of Yeongnam while serving as magistrate in Hayan (Gyeongsan) and Cheongha (Pohang). Works tracing his travels include Naeyeonsan Samyongchu, depicting waterfalls on Mt. Naeyeonsan in Pohang; “Dosan Seowon” in Andong, which honors Toegye Yi Hwang; Seongnyu Cave, a limestone cave in Uljin; and Ssanggye Ipam, depicting unusual rock formations on Mt. Ilwol in Yeongyang.
Dalseong Wonjodo, a distant view of Daegu, will be on display through November 22, after which it is scheduled to be replaced by Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon. Also featured are Guhakcheop, which depicts Dodamsambong Peaks in Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province; Hanbyeongnu at the Cheongpung government office in Jecheon; and Yeongang Imsulcheop, depicting areas around the Imjin and Hantan rivers.■ Mt. Geumgang and Gwandong’s scenic splendor captured over more than 50 yearsThe Mt. Geumgang works Jeong painted over more than 50 years reveal how his style changed over time. The National Treasure “Geumgang Jeondo” spreads out the mountain’s 12,000 peaks as if seen all at once from above, while the Treasure “Pungaknaesan Chongram” captures the grandeur of Mt. Geumgang in autumn.
The exhibition offers views of Inner and Outer Geumgang and Haegeumgang, including Jangansa, Manpokdong, Birobong, Samil Lake, Chongseok Pavilion and Munam. It also features works depicting scenic sites in Gwandong, including Naksansa Temple in Yangyang County and Mangyangjeong and Wolsongjeong in Uljin.
A travel-related event is also planned. For Travel Month, the museum will hold an online event in the first week of November with the Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch of the Korea Tourism Organization, titled “Plan Your Own Autumn Trip Following Gyeomjae.” Participants will photograph works in the exhibition and plan their own autumn travel itineraries. Details on how to take part are available on the museum’s official Instagram account.
Starting November 1, the museum’s closing time will change to 6 p.m. under its winter schedule. A museum representative said, “We hope you will encounter in Jeong Seon’s works the scenic sites across the country that Gyeomjae captured on canvas, and savor the atmosphere of autumn, a wonderful time to travel.”
[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter