Kim Hong-do

Kim Hong-do

Korean name
Hangul	김홍도
Hanja	金弘道
Revised Romanization	Gim Hongdo
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Hongdo
Art name
Hangul	단원, 단구, 서호, 고면거사, 취화사, or 첩취옹
Hanja	檀園, 丹邱, 西湖, 高眠居士, 醉畵士, or 輒醉翁
Revised Romanization	Danwon, Dangu, Seoho, Gomyeongeosa, Chwihwasa, or Cheopchwiong
McCune–Reischauer	Tanwŏn, Tan'gu, Sŏho, Komyŏn'gŏsa, Ch'wihwasa, or Ch'ŏpch'wiong
Courtesy name
Hangul	사능
Hanja	士能
Revised Romanization	Saneung
McCune–Reischauer	Sanŭng

Biography

Kim was a member of the Gimhae Kim clan. He grew up in present-day Ansan, South Korea. At the age of 7, Kim Hong-do studied under the renowned master Pyoam Kang Se-hwang, who was then living in seclusion in Ansan.^[3] In 1766, at the age of 21, on the recommendation of Kang Sehwang,^[4] he entered the royal service as a member (hwawon) of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court. In 1771, he painted the portrait of the Royal Heir (the future King Jeongjo). In 1773, he assisted Byeon Sang-byeok when painting the Royal Portrait of King Yeongjo (1694–1724–1776).

In 1776, he painted the "Nineteen Taoist Immortals", that skyrocketed his reputation as a painter. At the same time, the new instated King Jeongjo (1752–1776–1800) commissioned him for many institutional paintings.

He died in loneliness and poverty, though the circumstances, and even the year are unknown. Depending on the source, some state that he died in 1806,^[5] 1810,^[6] or after 1814.^[1]^[4]

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Legacy

Kim is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons," together with Hyewon and Owon. He is also often joined to Owon and the 15th-century painter An Gyeon as one of Joseon's three greatest painters.

The city of Ansan, where he spent his youth and learned his craft, has memorialized him in many ways. The district of Danwon-gu is named after him, as is Ansan's annual "Danwon Art Festival." Many public places have been designed in imitation of his works.^[7]

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Gallery

Summarize

Perspective

Various sources have various opinions about what could be a 'top ten' list for Kim Hong-do.^[5]^[6] The most important fact is how successful was Kim Hong-do in all the various types of paintings.

Towooart provides a short notice and an argumented selection of paintings.^[8] The Korean Copyright Commission lists 757 paintings, 7 calligraphies and 4 moldings for Kim Hong-do.^[9] Some paintings have multiple descriptions: often a sepia version is given with a very fine resolution, and a colorful one with a lower resolution. An example is "Feast for the Pyongyang Governor" (평양감사 향안도).