A work from Kim Hong-do’s later years to be designated as a treasure

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Tuesday that it would designate “Samgongbulhwando,” which was drawn by Joseon-era artist Kim Hong-do (1745-1806?) in 1801 to celebrate King Soonjo’s full recovery from small pox, as a treasure after careful consideration.

The “Samgongbulhwando,” which is owned by the Samsung Foundation of Culture, is a painting that is drawn on an eight-fold folding screen. The painting depicts the joy of country life, ranging from a tile-roofed house located at the foot of the mountain, just behind a river, farmland, an owner receiving guests, working farmers, to a fisherman.

“The Samgongbulhwando has a magnificent style of painting characters to the life, showing their simple and natural lives,” said the state agency. “The drawing is a representative work from Kim Hong-do’s late career.”


Jong-Yeob JO jjj@donga.com