Kang Hui-an 강희안 is remembered as one of the most representative literati painters of the early Joseon Dynasty, but he also excelled at poetry and calligraphy.
During that time, painting was considered to be a somewhat base and degrading pastime for a proper literati scholar, and Kang himself perceived his talent for painting according to social norms.
Historical accounts show that he felt humiliated by the idea of his paintings being handed down to future generations, which may explain why so few of his works have survived.
However, there are references to dozens of his paintings scattered throughout the literature, including works titled Landscape, Plum Blossom, Bamboo, Flower and Plant & Insect.
In this painting, a scholar slumps contentedly on a rock, gazing pensively at the water.
It exemplifies the style of jansan ingsu (meaning “partially depicted landscapes”) associated with Southern Song landscape paintings in China, which usually feature only sparse landscape elements, such as a single large rock and tree, against an empty space.
Kang was an accomplished literati, and his style demonstrates the technique and taste of contemporaneous literati painting.
He held a prominent position among painters of the early Joseon Dynasty, but his influence extended into the mid-Joseon period, as he was a pioneer of the “Zhe school” style which became popular in Korea around the 16th century.
Painting of a Lofty Scholar Contemplating Water by Kang Hui-an (1417-1464), Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897).
The painting is housed at the National Museum of Korea, Seoul.
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