Byeon Sangbyeok () was an 18th-century Korean painter of the

Miryang Miryang () is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Neighboring cities include Changnyeong to the west, Cheongdo to the north, Ulsan to the east, and Yangsan, Gimhae, and Changwon to the sout ...

Byeon clan during the late period of the

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

Joseon dynasty Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...

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

Biography

His

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

is Wanbo and

art name An art name (pseudonym or pen name), also known by its native names ''hào'' (in Mandarin Chinese), ''gō'' (in Japanese), ' (in Korean), and ''tên hiệu'' (in Vietnamese), is a professional name used by artists, poets and writers in the Sinosp ...

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's reign (r. 1724–1776). Byeon was praised for his excellent depictions of animals and people. He served as a royal painter of Dohwaseo, 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 Korean art, art in South Korea. Since its establishment in 1945, the museum has been committed to various studies and research activities in the fields of archaeology ...

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) File:Korean art-Byeon Sangbyeok-Mother Hen and Chicks.jpg, ''Mother Hen and Chicks''

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