A RARE EIGHT-PANEL 'CHAEKGEORI' SCREEN DEPCITNG THE INTERIOR OF A SCHOLAR

Description:

Korea, one seal, 19th ct,.
Je Paneel 179 x 42,5/43,5 cm
View of a display shelf with numerous compartments containing stacks of books, antiques, Chinese vases and flower arrangements. Ink and colours on paper, mounted as screen. One seal.
From an old German private collection, acquired in Korea in the 1970s
Two terms are used for this type of genre painting. Chaekgado refers to still lifes depicting bookshelves, while chaekgeori is used when the painting shows books and antiques only. This type of painting was very popular among the Joseon aristocrats as these works documented the state of education of the actual owner. Written records prove that this painting style was particularly popular during the reign of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), 22nd king of the Joseon era (1392-1910), who was known for his love of books and science. In 1791 Jeongjo had a screen painted in the Chaekgado style set up behind his throne depicting the belongings of a scholar. It is assumed that this screen visualized the king's ideology of rule. Due to the importance of this painting style at court, this special painting style was also carried over to the lower societies, who decorated their simple houses with Minhwa, folk paintings
Minor wear