Byeon Sang-byeok

Byeon Sangbyeok was a Korean painter of the Miryang Byeon clan during the late period of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). Byeon is famous for his precise depictions of animals and people in detailed brushwork.

In this Korean name, the family name is Byeon.
Byeon Sang-byeok
Hangul
변상벽
Hanja
卞相璧, or 卞尙璧
Revised RomanizationByeon Sangbyeok
McCune–ReischauerPyŏn Sangpyŏk
Pen name
Hangul
화재
Hanja
和齋
Revised RomanizationHyajae
McCune–ReischauerHwajae
Courtesy name
Hangul
완보
Hanja
完甫
Revised RomanizationWanbo
McCune–ReischauerWanbo

Biography

His courtesy name (ja) is Wanbo and pen name (ho) is Hwajae. His birth and death dates are unknown, but was active in the mid 18th century during King Sukjong's (r.1674–1720) and King Yeongjo's reign (r. 1724–76). Byeon was praised for his excellent depictions of animals and people. He served as a royal painter of Dohwaseo, the office of painting and then as a hyeongam, a magistrate of a small province.[1] According to the book titled Jinhui sokgo (震彙續攷), Byeon Sangbyeok was especially excellent at depicting cats and chicken, so he gained nicknames like Byeon Goyang (trans. Byeon Cat)[2] and Byeon Dak (Byeon Rooster). In addition, the book says that Byeon was famous for drawing portraits too, so he was also referred as Guksu (國手, a first class artisan)[3] of the time, and his portrait works are over 100 pieces. Though, one of his extant portraits, the portrait of Yun Geup, an officer, does not show his excellent skills. He participated in drawing the portraits of King Yeongjo in 1763 and 1773.[4]

Works

Byeon's representative works include "Myojakdo" (Painting of Cats and Sparrows) and "Gyejado" (Painting of a Chicken and Chicks). Myojakdo housed in the National Museum of Korea captures a lively scene of two cats and alarmed sparrows around a tree in detailed brushwork. The depiction of a group of chirping sparrows on twigs are illustrated precisely with very detailed brushstrokes. It is based on his deep affections toward animals and close observations in real life.[4][5]

  • Myojakdo ("Painting of Cats and Sparrows")
  • Gukjeong chumyo ("Autumn cat in a garden with chrysanthemum")
  • Gyeondo (painting of a dog)

Gukjeong Chumyo

See also

References
  1. Yi Sŏng-mi (2008). "Euigwe and the Documentation of Joseon Court Ritual Life". Archives of Asian Art (in Korean). 58. ISSN 1944-6497. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  2. Yu, Hong-jun, An Approach through the theory on Art to theory on Painting of Scholars of the Korean Practical Science", Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2004, p.126
  3. 國手 [Guksu] (in Korean). Nate Korean-Hanja Dictionary. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  4. Choi Sunu. 변상벽 卞相璧 [Byeon Sangbyeok] (in Korean). Nate/ Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  5. 변상벽 卞相璧 [Byeon Sangbyeok] (in Korean). Nate / Britannica. 2009-11-14. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10.
  • An, Hwi-jun (1980), "Han'guk hoehwasa" (History of Korean painting), Ilchisa.
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