Framed Korean Jakhodo Tiger and Magpie Folk Painting One of the Four

A Korean Folk Art painting watercolor on silk mounted with brocade border and framed. The watercolor was likely dated from late 19th century to the tur...

An antique Korean folk painting of an old sage meditating among rocks under an ancient pine tree with a flying crane circa 19th century late Joseon period. The image was likely part of a larger scroll that depict of Mountain Spirit...

A wonderfully painted and detailed Korean folk art Minhwa Jakhodo (The letters “jak” means magpie; “ho” means tiger; and “do” means painting) Tiger and Magpie...

Anonymous. Korean, 17th century. Joseon period. Hanging scroll. Ink on paper. Seal: Shinso Dimensions: Scroll: H. 200 cm x W. 31 cm (79” x 12”) Image: H. 122 cm x W. 29.5 cm (48” x 11.5”) The grapevine came to China and then Korea from western Asia via the silk road trade routes. By the mid-Joseon period, it was one of the most popular subjects for Korean literati painters. Grapevines were painted as a singular subject or, less commonly, in combination with squirrels, which are associated with children due to their playful nature. Together, grapevines and squirrels embody wishes for abundant offspring and wealth. For the Korean literati artist the twisting vines, curling tendrils and round, plump grapes provided ample opportunity for expressive "brush play”. In this painting the artist has abstracted the scene and is seemingly unconcerned with discontinuities and proportion. Vines spring up from nowhere, grapes hang in random clusters and the squirrel’s head appears as if twisted backwards. For the vines and leaves we can feel a sense of speed in the brushstrokes, imparting a dynamic feel which is at once intense and animated. This contrasts dramatically with the countless tiny strokes of ink which realistically capture the texture of the squirrel’s fur...