Byeon Sangbyeok was an 18th century Korean painter of the

Miryang Miryang (perhaps pronounced as Milbeol using Idu script), formerly also spelled as 推火郡 (probably pronounced as Milbeol or Miribeol using Idu script), Milbeol (密伐) and Milseong (密城), is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Ko ...

Byeon clan during the late period of the

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...

(1392–1910). Byeon is famous for his precise depictions of animals and people in detailed brushwork.

Biography

His courtesy name (''ja'') is Wanbo and pen name (''ho'') is Hwajae. His birth and death dates are unknown, but was active in the mid 18th century during King Sukjong's (r. 1674–1720) and

King Yeongjo Yeongjo of Joseon (31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776), personal name Yi Geum (Korean: 이금, Hanja: 李昑), was the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Sukjong, by his concubine Royal Noble Consort Suk ...

's reign (r. 1724–1776). Byeon was praised for his excellent depictions of animals and people. He served as a royal painter of

Dohwaseo Dohwaseo or Korean Royal Academy of Painting ( ko, 도화서, ) is an administrative office of Joseon drawing pictures requested by other administrative offices of Joseon. It was originally called Dohwawon ( ko, 도화원) since Goryeo Dynasty unti ...

, the office of painting and then as a '' hyeongam'', a magistrate of a small province. According to the book titled ''Jinhui sokgo'' (震彙續攷), Byeon Sangbyeok was especially excellent at depicting cats and chicken, so he gained nicknames like Byeon Goyang (trans. Byeon Cat) and Byeon Dak (Byeon Rooster). In addition, the book says that Byeon was famous for drawing portraits too, so he was also referred as ''Guksu'' (國手, a first class artisan) of the time, and his portrait works are over 100 pieces. Though, one of his extant portraits, the portrait of Yun Geup, an officer, does not show his excellent skills. He participated in drawing the portraits of King Yeongjo in 1763 and 1773.

Works

Byeon's representative works include ''" Myojakdo"'' (Painting of Cats and Sparrows) and ''" Gyejado"'' (Painting of a Chicken and Chicks). Myojakdo housed in the

National Museum of Korea The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea. Since its establishment in 1945, the museum has been committed to various studies and research ...

captures a lively scene of two cats and alarmed sparrows around a tree in detailed brushwork. The depiction of a group of chirping sparrows on twigs are illustrated precisely with very detailed brushstrokes. It is based on his deep affections toward animals and close observations in real life.

Gallery

File:Korean art-Byeon Sangbyeok-Myojakdo-Painting of Cats and Sparrows-01.jpg, '' Myojakdo'' ("Painting of Cats and Sparrows") File:Korean art-Byeon Sangbyeok-Gukjeong chumyo-Autumn cat in a garden with chrysanthemum-01.jpg, '' Gukjeong chumyo'' ("Autumn cat in a garden with chrysanthemum") File:Byeon Sangbyeok-dog.jpg, ''Gyeondo'' (painting of a dog)

References

Citation

Sources

*An, Hwi-jun (1980), ''"Han'guk hoehwasa"'' (History of Korean painting), Ilchisa.

External links

Brief biography of Byeon Sangbyeok

Byeon Sangbyeok Cats
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byeon, Sangbyeok 18th-century Korean painters