Antique Korean Folk Painting of Mountain Spirit Joseon Dynasty

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An antique Korean folk painting of an old sage meditating among rocks under an ancient pine tree with a flying … Read more An antique Korean folk painting of an old sage meditating among rocks under an ancient pine tree with a flying crane circa 19th century late Joseon period. The image was likely part of a larger scroll that depict of Mountain Spirit (Sansin in Korean). It is now presented with a beautiful brocade mat and mounted on a board. The frame has been removed therefore it needs new framing.
Mountain Spirit is a native shamanistic worship of the venerated mountain, where the deity deities descend from heaven to communicate with human. The prototype of the figure came from Chinese folklore The Northern Star, the old man of longevity. Always portraited as a wise old man with flowing robe, white bear and eyebrows, accompanied by a tiger, deer or crane in a mountainous landscape. The specific styling and his accoutrement may vary subtly, the influence of neo-Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and local Shamanism are always evident. The confluency created an interesting and unique imagery with a strong folky appeal. In this painting, the Sansin is seen seated in a lotus position, leaning against a green celadon pillow that appears to be made from ceramic (a reference to the hand rest or pillow made in Goryeo dynasty). He is holding a green Lingzi head on his right hand. The magic mushroom is a symbol of immortality. On his left, there is a green, bronze ewer, a prototype made during Goryeo Dynasties, that contains the ambrosia of longevity. On the mountainous rocks behind him, waterfalls appear to cascade down. The towering ancient pine and the flying crane on the composition in the background, are both symbols of longevity. The painting, it appears, used iconic symbols as well as colors to convey and highlight the intended ideas.
Despite dominated by Neo-Confucianism in Joseon dynasty, Buddhism and native shamanism still held onto their root of tradition strongly in the society. Buddhism could also be rather tolerant and even accepted the elements of the local shamanism. Often one could even see an altar or banner dedicated to Sansin in a Buddhist temple.
The work, ink and watercolor on paper, was most likely a large fragment of a hang scroll. The image size is 40.25"h x 23"w.
For another Sansin painting, see item 2000.8 in the collection of Asian Art Musuem in San Francisco. Illustrated on page 174-175 in the book "The Art of Korea Highlights from the collection of San Francisco's Asian Art Musuem".
To compare with a prototype Chinese Old man of longevity done in fine embroidery, see item LU945022650992 in our gallery collection See less