Chaekgeori (Korean: 책거리;Hanja: 冊巨里), translated as "books and things", is a genre of still-lifepainting from theJoseon period of Korea that features books as the dominant subject.[1] Thechaekgeori tradition flourished from the second half of the 18th century to the first half of the 20th century and was enjoyed by all members of the population, from the king to the commoners, revealing the infatuation with books and learning in Korean culture.[2]
Chaekgeori that features bookshelves is calledchaekgado (책가도;冊架圖).[3]Chaekgeori is also known asmunbangdo (문방도;文房圖).[4]
During the 18th century,Joseon experienced a golden age following the turbulence of the 17th century; the arts flourished, and new artistic themes and genres emerged.[1]
Developed in the 18th century,chaekgeori was personally propagated by KingJeongjo, a bibliophile who promoted studious learning, and embraced by the aristocraticyangban class of Joseon society.[2][3] Earlychaekgeori paintings were prized for their illusionistic realism.[1] In the 19th century,chaekgeori spread to theminhwa folk art of the common class, which resulted in more expressionist and abstract depictions, and the diminished prominence of bookshelves as a primary motif.[2] Courtchaekgeori were used in both ritual ceremonies and as decoration, butminhwa chaekgeori were displayed solely as a decoration in homes.[3]
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KingJeongjo promoted cultural exchange with theQing dynasty, leading to increased exposure and importation of Chinese and European cultural items.[2] Some of the depicted items inchaekgeori are of foreign origin from China, Japan, and the West.Chaekgado incorporated Western linear perspective and shading techniques, and the depicted bookshelves reveal influence of theduobaoge treasure cabinets of the Qing dynasty, though more symmetrical and systematic.[1] Theduobaoge itself was influenced by the Europeancabinet of curiosities brought into China by Jesuit missionaries.[5]
Media related toChaekgeori at Wikimedia Commons
