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Eight-Panel Munjado Screen

Korean

Artwork Details

Eight-Panel Munjado Screen
20th century
Korean
ink and color on paper
4 ft. 11 1/16 in. x 11 ft. 10 in. (150.02 x 360.68 cm);36 1/2 x 12 in. (92.71 x 30.48 cm);4 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 18 1/4 in. (148.59 x 46.36 cm);4 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 17 1/4 in. (148.59 x 43.82 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the estate of John C. and Rosemary Mathes
2022/1.52

Description

Subject Matter:

In Korean society, screens have been used as room dividers, decoration, and backdrops for rituals. Each of the eight panels in this screen depict a Munjado --"pictorial ideograph"-- which are often of plants, animals, and birds. The Munjando are paired with calligraphy characters to reflect cultural values. In one panel, the character 孝 (righteousness) complements a pair of birds and two deer to illustrate a Confucian message about the righteous relationship between married couples.

Physical Description:

Eight-panel screen with floral and arboreal scenes above calligraphy on a dark brown background. 

Usage Rights:

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