This English catalog was created for the special exhibition Earth, Fire, and Soul - The Masterpieces of Korean Ceramics held at the Grand Palais of France from April 27 through June 20 of 2016 and at the State Hermitage Museum of Russia from July 29 through November 6 of 2016. The touring exhibition was designed to provide a unique opportunity to extensively explore both old and contemporary Korean porcelain art. This catalog lists many masterpieces carefully selected from the porcelain collections of the National Museum of Korea, a representative museum in Korea, including national treasures and other notable works inspired by Korean artists working in many parts of the world. I wish that this catalog may help you appreciate the artistry and unique beauty of the Korean porcelain culture, which has developed and changed over centuries on the foundation of a cultural heritage of making porcelain with earth and fire.
National Museum of Korea
Since its establishment in 1945, the National Museum of Korea has been performing the role of the cultural institution representing Korea for over 70 years. It also has contributed to the growth of the academic field of traditional Korean art and culture with its numerous and significant researches and studies. However, the accumulated knowledge and achievements have remained within the Korean academic circle lacking the communication and sharing with a broader academia.
Foreword 5
ESSAYS
BRIEF HISTORY OF KOREAN CERAMICS 8
KOREAN CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS 20
1. ANCIENT CULTURE AND POTTERY
VESSELS FOR DAILY LIFE 29
GRAVE GOODS 36
NEW BURIAL PRACTICE: CREMATION 46
Theme 1 POTTERY FIGURINES 50
Theme 2 SCULPTED POTTERY VESSELS 52
2. ELEGANCE IN COLOR AND FORM: GORYEO CELADON
COLOR OF JADE, BRILLIANCE OF CRYSTAL 58
Theme 1 INCREASING FIRING TEMPERATURES: MOVING TOWARDS PORCELAIN 59
FORMS FROM NATURE: FIGURATIVE CELADON VESSELS 72
DESIGNS REPRESENTING WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS 80
Theme 2 UNIQUE INNOVATION OF INLAID CELADON 81
PRIZED POSSESSION OF THE ARISTOCRACY 90
3. MODERATION AND LIBERATION: BUNCHEONG WARE
NEW ERA, BUT FAMILIAR CERAMICS 111
EMBODIMENT OF FREEDOM AND INNOVATION 120
JOSEON INLAID WHITE PORCELAIN, SUCCESSOR TO GORYEO WHITE WARE 139
4. PROPRIETY AND DIGNITY: WHITE PORCELAIN
PROPRIETY AND DIGNITY OF THE ROYAL COURT 147
Theme 1 MOON JAR: SYMBOL OF ABUNDANCE AND ENJOYMENT 170
BLUE-AND-WHITE PORCELAIN: PAINTING ON WHITE PORCELAIN 173
Theme 2 AESTHETIC APPRECIATION: STATIONERY ITEMS IN THE SARANGBANG 186
AUSPICIOUS WISHES IN WHITE PORCELAIN 191
Theme 3 ABSTRACT MOTIFS IN BROWN, AUSPICIOUS MOTIFS IN RED 196
FOOD CULTURE AND DAILY LIFE IN JOSEON 200
ROYAL CERAMICS OF THE LATE JOSEON PERIOD 204
5. BEYOND TRADITION: CONTEMPORARY CERAMIC ART 213
APPENDIXES
TIMELINE 230
KILNS IN GORYEO DYNASTY - CELADON 232
KILNS IN JOSEON DYNASTY - BUNCHEONG WARE 233
KILNS IN JOSEON DYNASTY - WHITE PORCELAIN 234
OFFICIAL KILNS IN GWANGJU, GYEONGGI-DO PROVINCE 235
LIST OF FIGURES 236