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Korean Fine Art

Korea has a rich fine art tradition that dates back millennia and continues to thrive today. From elaborate tomb murals to modern calligraphy and painting, Korean fine art is celebrated and highly valued worldwide.

The origins of Korean fine art have been traced back to cave paintings created around 3000 B.C., which evolved into the complex tomb murals of the Goguryeo period (circa 372 A.D.). These elaborate murals, which included renderings of the local landscapes and members of the ruling elite, have been cited as the first examples of landscape painting and portraiture in Korea.

As in ancient times, painting was the predominant visual art form practiced in Korea throughout the 20th century, and that tradition continues today. Often, Korean artists have a special affinity for abstraction, a style that developed in the 1930s.


Quick Facts

  • Korea’s intent to become a major force in the visual arts is evidenced by the recent creation of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. The institution cost more than $230 million to develop and is intended to rival the best museums in the world
  • Calligraphy is considered to be the apogee of Korean Confucian art, visually reflecting the culture’s interest in an ascetic worldview and an aesthetic sensibility stripped to the bare essentials. Korean calligraphic artists strive to convey emotion and personality through the style of their brushwork
  • Korean fine art continues to thrive today, carried on by a new generation of internationally celebrated artists such as Lee Ufan, Park Seo-bo, and Kim Guiline

Recommended Items at Auction

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A KOREAN CARVED WOOD WEDDING DUCK, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CARVED WOOD WEDDING DUCK, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0001 Bid
Kyu-Baik Hwang, South Korean (b. 1932), Flower - B, mezzotint, 30 1/4"H x 20"W
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
Kyu-Baik Hwang, South Korean (b. 1932), Flower - B, mezzotint, 30 1/4"H x 20"W
by Ripley Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$501 Bid
KOREAN FOLK PRINTS
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
KOREAN FOLK PRINTS
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
bp parity badge
PAIR OF KOREAN SCROLL PAINTINGS ON SILK OF HUNTERS 20th Century 24.5" x 12".
Mar 07, 9:30 AM EST
PAIR OF KOREAN SCROLL PAINTINGS ON SILK OF HUNTERS 20th Century 24.5" x 12".
by Eldred's
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
ANTIQUE KOREAN CARVED WOOD WEDDING DUCK FIGURE
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
ANTIQUE KOREAN CARVED WOOD WEDDING DUCK FIGURE
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids
Korean, Sculpture of doe and buck deer
Feb 26, 11:00 AM CST
Korean, Sculpture of doe and buck deer
by Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$1000 Bids
19TH C ANTIQUE KOREAN JOSEON DYNASTY WOOD DRAGON HEAD
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
19TH C ANTIQUE KOREAN JOSEON DYNASTY WOOD DRAGON HEAD
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids
A PAIR OF KOREAN CARVED WOOD GEESE, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A PAIR OF KOREAN CARVED WOOD GEESE, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BRONZE FIGURE OF SEATED BUDDHA, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BRONZE FIGURE OF SEATED BUDDHA, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥600,0000 Bids
A KOREAN GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, SILLA PERIOD
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, SILLA PERIOD
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥100,0000 Bids
A KOREAN IRON FIGURE OF STANDING BUDDHA
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN IRON FIGURE OF STANDING BUDDHA
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BRONZE FIGURE OF STANDING BUDDHA
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BRONZE FIGURE OF STANDING BUDDHA
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BRONZE FIGURE OF STANDING BUDDHA
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BRONZE FIGURE OF STANDING BUDDHA
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
FROM POINTS 4
Feb 22, 1:00 PM JST
FROM POINTS 4
by New Art Est-Ouest Auctions
Est: ¥600,000- ¥900,000
¥600,0000 Bids
A CUT SHOT (SET OF 3)
Feb 22, 1:00 PM JST
A CUT SHOT (SET OF 3)
by New Art Est-Ouest Auctions
Est: ¥200,000- ¥300,000
¥200,0000 Bids
A Korean Gilt Bronze Figure of Standing Buddha
Feb 22, 3:00 PM PST
A Korean Gilt Bronze Figure of Standing Buddha
by California Asian Art Auction Gallery USA
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$2,5000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Korean Fine Art


Fukuoka Yumekai Auction

Fukuoka Yumekai Auction

New Art Est-Ouest Auctions

New Art Est-Ouest Auctions

Eldred's

Eldred's