Member Lecture: Korean National Treasures—2,000 Years of Art

Why It Matters

The exhibition showcases Korea’s artistic legacy to a broad U.S. audience, reinforcing cultural diplomacy and highlighting the transformative impact of private philanthropy on museum collections.

Key Takeaways

• Samsung’s Lee family donated 23,000 Korean artworks, fueling this exhibition.
• 140 pieces displayed, 22 designated Korean National Treasures.
• Exhibition spans five thematic sections, from pre‑modern to contemporary.
• Highlights include Jeong Seon’s “Clearing After Rain” and a Moon Jar.
• Philanthropy underscores cultural preservation and U.S. audience engagement.

Summary

The Art Institute of Chicago opened “Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art,” the museum’s most extensive Korean art show in four decades. Curated by Yeonsoo Chee and supported by the National Museum of Korea, Samsung, and an anonymous donor, the exhibition draws from the Lee Kun‑hee collection, a bequest of roughly 23,000 objects donated to the Korean government in 2021.

The show presents 140 works, including 22 officially designated National Treasures, arranged in five thematic galleries that trace Korean artistic production from the 6th‑century Buddhist sutras to a 1973 modern painting. Visitors encounter a 1700s Moon Jar alongside contemporary pieces, a 17th‑century landscape by Jeong Seon, a ten‑panel “Symbols of Longevity” screen, and rare Buddhist icons such as a “Thousand‑Armed Avalokiteshvara.” Rotating displays ensure preservation of fragile masterpieces throughout the exhibition’s run.

Highlights emphasized by the curators include Jeong Seon’s “Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang,” acquired as the Lee family’s first joint purchase, and the intricate symbolism of the longevity screen, which uniquely incorporates twelve traditional motifs. The Buddhist section showcases a gold‑ink Goryeo sutra and the x‑ray‑revealed details of the Avalokiteshvara painting, underscoring both artistic mastery and devotional intent.

By foregrounding Korea’s millennia‑long visual heritage, the exhibition deepens American audiences’ understanding of East Asian culture and illustrates how private philanthropy can mobilize national treasures for global appreciation. It also positions the Art Institute as a leading venue for cross‑cultural dialogue, potentially spurring further acquisitions and scholarly collaborations.

Original Description

The largest Art Institute exhibition devoted to Korean art in four decades, "Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art" charts the ideas, values, and traditions that have shaped the country’s creative production from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–676 CE) through the 1900s.

Among the 140 artworks on view—which include modern and historical paintings, ceramics, and objects made for Buddhist worship and scholarly study—22 are officially recognized as National Treasures or Treasures by the Korean government. These objects are remarkable examples of their type and are distinguished by their significant historic, artistic, and academic value.

Hear from Yeonsoo Chee, Korea Foundation Associate Curator of Korean Art, for a deep dive into the exhibition and its exceptional objects. Following the lecture, Yeonsoo is joined onstage by Kim Sunghee, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, who shares insights on the Lee Kun-Hee collection at MMCA.