The Walled City of Pyeongyang
Korea, unknown artist, The Walled City of Pyeongyang, 19th century, eight-panel screen; ink and color on paper, Gift of The Oregon Korea Foundation, public domain; images courtesy of Korean National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage, 2003.23
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
The Walled City of Pyeongyang
- Related Titles
original language: 平壤城圖
original language: 평양성도
- Artist
- Date
19th century
- Period
Korea: Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
- Medium
eight-panel screen; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
overall: 61 in x 142 in
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Paintings
- Object Type
folding screen
- Culture
Korean
- Credit Line
Gift of The Oregon Korea Foundation
- Accession Number
2003.23
- Copyright
public domain; images courtesy of Korean National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage
- Terms
Cityscape paintings were popular in the late Joseon dynasty. Often created in the folding screen format, these paintings functioned as maps but were also appreciated for their artistic merits.
Pyeongyang, now the capital of North Korea, was the most favored cityscape because of the city’s significance as a historical and cultural center. Pyeongyang had been the capital of two ancient kingdoms, Gojoseon (Old Joseon, 2333–108 BCE) and Goguryeo (37 BCE–668 CE), and the west capital of Goryeo (918–1392). As a gateway between China and Korea, Pyeongyang was also recognized as a rich hub of Sinophone culture. The beauty of the city and its environs made Pyeongyang a popular destination.
This painting depicts a bird’s-eye view of the walled city of Pyeongyang, with north at the right, east at the bottom, south at the left, and west at the top. The governor of Pyeong’an Province and his enormous retinue travel along the Daedong River in a grand procession. Noblemen and gisaeng (female entertainers) line the banks to welcome them, while others go about their daily lives, with such mundane tasks as doing laundry.
- Exhibitions
2018 The Shape of the Land: Topographical Paintings and Maps in Late Joseon Korea Portland Art Museum
