Korea Museum Reopens Calligraphy Gallery
The National Museum of Korea has reopened its calligraphy gallery, providing a fresh space to appreciate Korea's distinct calligraphic traditions. The renewed gallery offers visitors an updated presentation of Korean calligraphy's evolution and cultural significance. The reopening highlights growing institutional focus on preserving and presenting traditional Korean arts to contemporary audiences.
The newly reopened Calligraphy and Painting Gallery at the National Museum of Korea debuted on February 26, 2026, after a six-month renovation. The updated space employs modern technology, including 3D-printed reproductions of ancient tombstone inscriptions, to enhance the visitor experience and make traditional calligraphy more accessible. This renewal is part of a new strategy by the museum to feature rotating themed exhibitions every two to three months. This approach is necessary for the preservation of the delicate works on paper and ink, which can be damaged by prolonged exposure to light. Museum Director You Hong June stated this also provides a clear thematic focus for visitors with each rotation. The inaugural exhibition, running through April 26, is "Jeong Seon: Ah! Our Mountains and Rivers!," celebrating the 350th anniversary of the famed Joseon-era painter's birth. The exhibition features 70 works, including Jeong Seon's masterpiece "Bakyeon Falls," which is being publicly displayed for the first time in 20 years. Alongside pieces from the museum's own collection, the gallery showcases rarely seen works from private collectors. This includes "Visiting a Friend in the Snow" by Jo Yeong-seok, a contemporary and friend of Jeong Seon. The inclusion of these loans was made possible by the museum's reputation for protecting valuable artworks. The gallery explores "seohwa," the traditional art form combining painting and calligraphy that was central to the culture of the yangban, or ruling class, of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Calligraphy was considered a reflection of one's mind and philosophy during this period. Future themed exhibitions are already planned for the space. Following the show on Jeong Seon, the gallery will highlight works by other masters of Korean art, including Kim Hong-do and Kim Jeong-hui, as well as a feature on paintings from the late Joseon period.
