"Six-Fold Screen of the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks," produced between the late 19th and early 20th century. Courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea

Paintings that once embellished the interiors of the royal palaces during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) were more than just ornate decorations as they symbolized the king’s majesty and embodied hope for the nations’ prosperity.

To celebrate 2020-2021 being the Year of Cultural Dialogue between Korea and the United Arab Emirates, the Korean Cultural Center in the UAE and the National Palace Museum of Korea (NPMK) have brought together some of these relics for an online exhibition “Wishes for Prosperity: Decorative Paintings of the Joseon Royal Court” at www.k-museum.com.

The exhibition presents a total of 17 paintings in various forms – folding screens, sliding doors, large-scale murals and silk paintings – from the NPMK’s collection. They symbolize the splendor and authority of the royal court.

Avid K-drama fans may recognize one of the highlighted pieces, a folding screen that shows the sun and moon over five peaks that represent the territory of Korea always under the sovereign’s absolute power. Titled “Irworobongdo,” it is a unique feature of the Joseon court that was always placed behind the king’s throne. It has been featured in a number of period dramas and films, including “Mr. Queen” (2020), “Moon Embracing the Sun” (2012) and “Masquerade” (2012).

Another popular theme painted at court was “Sipjangsaengdo” (Ten Symbols of Longevity). In this exhibit, they appear in different combinations on a sliding door and on a folding screen once placed behind the queen and royal heirs at banquets. The symbols convey the wish for the royal family to enjoy long, healthy lives and consist of the sun, moon, mountains, water, bamboo, pine trees, tortoises, cranes, deer and herbs that promised eternal youth.

“I believe [the exhibition] can bring to light shared emotions and enhance mutual understanding with the audience in the United Arab Emirates, where the culture, history and arts have been developed and passed on with the royal family at the center,” UAE Korean Cultural Center Director Nam Chan-Woo said in a statement.

“Wishes for Prosperity: Decorative Paintings of the Joseon Royal Court” can be viewed with the accompanying text in English, Arabic or Korean.

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