Kim Hong-do

He was also widely known by his art name Tanwŏn. Kim Hong-do was active during the reign of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo, he made a profound change in Joseon painting style.

• Hangul — %김홍도 • Hanja — 金弘道 • Hangulho — %_단원%, %_단구%, %_서호%, %_고면거사%, %_취화사%, %_첩취옹 • Hanjaho — 檀園, 丹邱, 西湖, 高眠居士, 醉畵士, 輒醉翁 • Hangulja — %_사능 • Hanjaja — 士能

Kim was a member of the Gimhae Kim clan. He grew up in present-day Ansan, South Korea. At the age of 7, Kim Hongdo studied under the renowned master Pyoam Kang Sehwang, who was then living in seclusion in Ansan. In 1766, at the age of 21, on the recommendation of Kang Sehwang, he entered the royal service as a member (hwawon) of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court. In 1771, he painted the portrait of the Royal Heir (the future King Jeongjo). In 1773, he assisted Byeon Sang-byeok when painting the Royal Portrait of King Yeongjo (1694–1724–1776). In 1776, he painted the "Nineteen Taoist Immortals", that skyrocketed his reputation as a painter. At the same time, the new instated King Jeongjo (1752–1776–1800) commissioned him for many institutional paintings. He died in loneliness and poverty, though the circumstances, and even the year are unknown. Depending on the source, some state that he died in 1806, 1810, or after 1814.

Various sources have various opinions about what could be a 'top ten' list for Kim Hongdo. The most important fact is how successful was Kim Hongdo in all the various types of paintings. Towooart provides a short notice and an argumented selection of paintings. The Korean Copyright Commission lists 757 paintings, 7 calligraphies and 4 moldings for Kim Hongdo. Some paintings have multiple descriptions: often a sepia version is given with a very fine resolution, and a colorful one with a lower resolution. An example is "Feast for the Pyongyang Governor" (평양감사 향안도). • The paintings that launched the reputation of Kim Hongdo. • 'Literati' paintings. • Illustration — ChongSeokJeong • Illustration — A cat and a butterfly Hwangmyonongjeopdo • Illustration — Tiger under a pine tree Songhamaenghodo • Illustration — Drunkard under a tree Songhachwisaengdo • Illustration — Tiger underneath a Bamboo Jukhamenghodo • Official paintings • The designated painter of the King • "Genre paintings". Among them, the album Danwon pungsokdo provides a serie of 25 paintings. Here are only four of them: • Illustration — Teacher and pupils Seodang (서당:書堂) • Illustration — Dancing boy Mudong (무동:舞童) • Illustration — Washing place Bbalraeteo (빨래터:漂母) • Illustration — Forge Daejanggan (대장간) • Illustration — Plowing a rice field Nongali (논갈이) • Illustration — Shoeing a horse Pyeonjabakgi (편자박기) • Illustration — Ssireum (씨름) • Illustration — Lunch time Jeomsim (점심) • After 1800 and the death of King Jeongjo.