KPC3492-3501: Folding Screen with Birds, Flowers and Animals

Paintings of birds, flowers and animals have not only decorated spaces beautifully, but also contained a wish for happiness. Many folding screens with depictions of birds, flowers and animals were produced in the late Joseon dynasty. Jang Seung-eop (1843–1897, styled Owon) was a great painter in the late Joseon dynasty who was famous for his bold brush strokes. Korea Post is issuing the commemorative stamp Folding Screen with Birds, Flowers and Animals painted by Jang Seung-eop, containing graceful depictions of birds, flowers and animals.

It is known that Jang Seung-eop, who lived in the late 19th century, lost his parents at a young age, went to Hanyang (Seoul) and lived in the house of interpreter Lee Eung-heon. Jang began to learn how to paint after seeing Lee`s collection of masterpieces of Chinese painters in history. With patronage by Lee as well as Oh Kyeong-yeon and Byeon Won-gyu, who recognized his talent, Jang began to paint in his 30s with royal painters in Dohwaseo (Royal Academy of Painting). Jang was also taught by Yoo Sook (1827–1873), who was a well-known painter at the time. Thanks to his gifted talent and support from interpreters, Jang was able to learn the style of the Shanghai School (ca. Qing dynasty), which was trending at that time, and reach an unrivaled level. Many collectors in Joseon requested Jang for his paintings.

The 10-panel folding screen of Birds, Flowers and Animals by Jang shows his sharp observation and meticulous depictions. The composition of a couple of birds, flowers and animals is quite noticeable in each panel. His bold brush strokes with ink diluted and tinted as in watercolor paintings demonstrate an audacious painting style of the painter, who did not hesitate even if shape was blurred. From the right, the first panel features a sapsalgae (Korean breed of dog) barking at the moon under a Korean paulownia tree. It was believed that sapsalgae can scare away ghosts and prevent bad luck. The second panel features magpies perching on a persimmon tree, the third panel a bird sitting on the rock with Narcissus flowers, the fourth panel a cat staring at bees under the shade of roses, the fifth panel deer grazing on elixir, the sixth panel mitten crabs grabbing reed flowers, the seventh panel wild geese gliding down on the reed field, the eighth and ninth panels a hawk and birds on tree branches, and the tenth panel a parrot on a Buddha`s hand tree. The painting vividly portrays animals, including dogs, birds, cats and deer, and blue and light green colors show a sophisticated sensation overall.

It is also worth noting that this commemorative stamp is designed to be folded like a folding screen. We hope that you appreciate the beauty of tradition from the Joseon dynasty as well as the artwork of painter Jang Seung-eop from the commemorative stamp featuring lively animals in each panel.