Descendants of Pungsan Hong Clan Preserve 'Gisagyecheop' for Over 300 Years
"Text and Paintings Possess Completeness and Artistic Quality Representative of Court Paintings"
The 18th-century court painting album ‘Gisagyecheop (耆社契帖·Treasure No. 639)’ will be elevated to the status of a National Treasure.
On the 29th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the advance designation of this book, which records the gathering (契會) of Gisin (耆臣·civil officials aged over seventy holding a rank of Jeong 2-pum or higher, belonging to the Giroso) during the 45th year of King Sukjong’s reign (1719) through writings and paintings, as a National Treasure. ‘Gisagyecheop’ is an album created in 1720 to commemorate King Sukjong’s entry into the Giroso, following the precedent set by King Taejo Yi Seong-gye. It was produced as twelve volumes: eleven volumes to be distributed to the Gisin and one volume to be kept in the Giroso. So far, five volumes have been confirmed.
This is the second time the album has been designated as a National Treasure. Last year, the volume held by the National Museum of Korea (No. 325) was first recognized for its high value. The ‘Gisagyecheop’ following it was bestowed upon Hong Man-jo (1645?1725), one of the Gisin. The descendants of the Pungsan Hong clan have preserved it for over 300 years. It consists of a preface written by Left Chamchan Im Bang (任?), one of the Giroshin, a royal poem (御製) composed by King Sukjong at the Gyeonghwigung Gyeonghyeondang (景賢堂) banquet, an epilogue by the Chief Scholar Kim Yu (金?), a list of participants, record paintings depicting the event, a list of eleven Gisin with half-length portraits, congratulatory poems written by the Gisin, and a list of officials who produced the album.
The album contains five event paintings: Eocheopbongando (御帖奉安圖·a procession from Gyeonghwigung Heungjeongdang to the Giroso to enshrine the royal album), Sungjeongjeonjinhajeondo (崇政殿進賀箋圖·the scene of the Gisin offering congratulations at Sungjeongjeon Hall in Gyeonghwigung the following day), Gyeonghyeondangseokyeondo (景賢堂錫宴圖·the banquet King held for the Gisin at Gyeonghyeondang), Bongbaegwisaedo (奉盃歸社圖·the procession of the Gisin returning to the Giroso carrying silver cups bestowed at the banquet), and Gisasa yeondo (耆社私宴圖·the Gisin holding a private banquet at the Giroso).
Although 300 years have passed since its creation, this album has hardly been damaged. This is thanks to the triple protective casing consisting of the inner box (內函), protective case (護匣), and outer chest (外櫃). The album was placed inside the inner box, wrapped with the protective case, and then placed in the outer chest. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “It is an important basis for restoring the presentation of items bestowed by the Joseon royal family to private households.” They added, “The Gisin’s own handwriting and paintings possess a high level of completion and artistic quality representative of court paintings, making it fully worthy of designation as a National Treasure for preservation.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
