Korean art and culture

 

Explore one of the nation’s earliest and most historically significant museum collections of Korean art and culture.

Artist in Korea, Jojokdeung (foot illuminating lantern), before 1885. Paper, wood, and metal. Gift of Percival Lowell, 1885. E1463. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Jeffrey R. Dykes/PEM.


Artist in Korea, Sewing dish (detail), 1800s. Paper, lacquer, and mother-of-pearl. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 1998. E300229. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Dennis Helmar.


From the late Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) to today, PEM’s exceptional collection explores art, culture, and life in Korea during a time of significant transition and global connection.

PEM’s early Korean collection was primarily formed by Edward Sylvester Morse, director of the Peabody Academy of Science (a predecessor organization to PEM), who proactively pursued Korean acquisitions during his tenure from 1880 to 1914. Among his most significant acquisitions from this period is a set of eight Korean musical instruments played at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

PEM’s connection with Korea was also strengthened by Yu Kil-Chun (1856-1914), the reformist scholar and politician who came to the U.S. as a member of the first Korean delegation and lived near Salem for nearly two years. Yu Kil-Chun and other early travelers between the U.S. and Korea donated many meaningful and foundational works to the museum’s collection.

PEM’s Yu Kil-Chun Gallery of Korean Art and Culture brings to life the compelling stories of these early pioneers, presented alongside the museum’s renowned Korean textile collection, exquisite 19th-century paintings — including the Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan screen — and inspiring contemporary works by Nam June Paik (1932–2006) and other Korean and Korean American artists.

The Yu Kil-Chun Gallery of Korean Art and Culture has been made possible with the support of the Korea Foundation. Generous leadership support is provided by the National Museum of Korea; Samsung Foundation of Culture, Korea; the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation; the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation; the Henry Luce Foundation; Helen H. Kim and Colin A. Warwick; Maria Kim and Sung-Dae Hong; the Council of Korean Americans, Boston; the Korean American community of New England; the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C.; the Korean American Citizens League of New England; the Korean Cultural Society of Boston; an anonymous donor; Linda Champion; Mrs. Yu Suk Hee; and other generous donors.

ABOVE IMAGE: Artist in Korea, Bandaji (front-dropping chest), early 1900s. Zelkovas tree and brass. Gift of Cynthia M. Nadai, in memory and honor of Edwin Morgan. 2023.29.2. Peabody Essex Museum. Artist in Korea, Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan (detail), early 1800s. Ink and color on silk. Museum purchase, made possible in part by W.C. Endicott and George A. Peabody, 1927. E20262.A-H. Peabody Essex Museum. Artist in Korea, cotton armor with talismans (detail), 1800s. Cotton, hemp, copper alloy, and iron. Gift of the United States Naval Academy, 1923. E18987. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo courtesy of Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. Artist in Korea, Janggu, before 1893. Leather, wood and silk. Gift of Joseon delegation to the World’s Columbian Exposition, 1893. E9804. Peabody Essex Museum. Artist in Korea, sword and sheath, before 1899. Wood, lacquer, iron, and silk. Gift of Dr. Charles Goddard Weld, 1889. E9739. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo courtesy of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. Artists in Korea, Hwarot (bridal robe), 1700s or 1800s. Silk, paper, and cotton. Gift of Yamanaka and Company, 1927. E20190.F. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo courtesy of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation.



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