Artwork
Books and Scholars’ Accoutrements
Books and Scholars’ Accoutrements is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Yi Taek-gyun. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2011.37
- Credit line
- Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
About this work
If you like this, look up korea, joseon dynasty (1392–1910) to see more of these quiet, book-filled scenes.
You see a tall, narrow scroll filled with shelves of books, brushes, ink stones, and porcelain vases. The objects are stacked neatly, almost like a real bookshelf.
This kind of painting, called chaekgado, started as a royal decoration in Korea. It became a way for wealthy families to show off their learning and taste. The artist hid his name in a tiny seal on one of the shelves, something only careful viewers would spot.
If you like this, look up korea, joseon dynasty (1392–1910) to see more of these quiet, book-filled scenes.
Overview
Books and Scholars’ Accoutrements is a chaekgado, a type of Korean painting depicting bookshelves and scholarly objects. It is a tall, narrow scroll featuring neatly stacked books, brushes, ink stones, and porcelain vases.
Subject & Meaning
The painting showcases the accoutrements of a scholar's study, symbolizing learning and refinement. As a chaekgado, it was likely intended to convey the owner's cultural sophistication and appreciation for scholarship.
Technique & Style
The artist, Yi Taek-gyun, hid his identity in a small seal on the third panel from the right, a subtle signature that requires close inspection to detect. The objects are rendered in a realistic and orderly manner, creating a sense of depth and authenticity.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1800s by Yi Taek-gyun, a prominent court artist, this painting is part of a genre that originated in the second half of the eighteenth century as a royal emblem and later became popular among aristocratic families.
Artist & collection
