Artwork
Screen of Banquets for Dowager Queen Sinjeong in Gyeongbokgung Palace Eight-panel Folding Screen
Screen of Banquets for Dowager Queen Sinjeong in Gyeongbokgung Palace Eight-panel Folding Screen is an unspecified painting by the Korean Minhwa artist Unknown. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This eight-panel folding screen painting depicts a grand, high-ceilinged room within Gyeongbokgung Palace, specifically created for Dowager Queen Sinjeong. The scene is bustling with people amidst lavishly set tables, ornate decorations, and surrounding greenery.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a ceremonial banquet in honor of Dowager Queen Sinjeong, highlighting the opulence and formality of royal gatherings during that era. The detailed portrayal of attendees, furnishings, and flora reflects the importance of such events in royal protocol and social hierarchy.
Technique & Style
Executed with meticulous detail and vibrant colors, the painting exemplifies traditional techniques of Korean court painting from its time, characterized by realism, attention to texture, and the use of bright, non-faded pigments to convey luxury and joy.
History & Provenance
Originally commissioned for Gyeongbokgung Palace, the screen's current location is not specified in the provided details. Its age suggests it is from a period consistent with Dowager Queen Sinjeong's reign or shortly thereafter, though exact dates are not given.
Context
This work would have been viewed within the palace, serving both as a decorative element and a record of royal ceremonies. Similar examples can be studied at institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which holds relevant Korean art collections.
Artist & collection
