Gogung Museum's 'Royal Relics of the Month' Featuring a Plaque with King Yeongjo's Calligraphy

'Yeongjo's Inscribed Plaque Reflecting on Past Events'

The National Palace Museum announced on the 1st that it has selected the "Plaque Inscribed by King Yeongjo Reflecting on Past Events" as the "Curator's Recommended Royal Artifact" for this month. It will be showcased in the "Kings of Joseon" exhibition hall and through the Cultural Heritage Administration's YouTube channel.

The "Plaque Inscribed by King Yeongjo Reflecting on Past Events" is a plaque engraved with writings composed by King Yeongjo on March 21, 1774, when he toured various locations within the palace together with Crown Prince Jeongjo. At the time, Yeongjo was eighty-one years old and paid respects at Gyeongbongak, then visited Hongmungwan, Chunbang, and Seungjeongwon.

The reflections written the following day were transcribed in the handwriting of Seungjeongwon official Lee Jaegan and inscribed on the plaque. King Yeongjo ordered the plaque to be hung in the three government offices. It was common for Joseon royal plaques to feature writings or calligraphy by the king, intended to widely convey their content and significance to future generations.

The National Palace Museum manages 775 plaques that were hung on Joseon royal buildings. In the "Kings of Joseon" exhibition hall, alongside the "Plaque Inscribed by King Yeongjo Reflecting on Past Events," plaques such as the "Sillokgak" and the "Plaque Engraved with a Poem Composed by King Gojong after Reading Crown Prince Sunjong's Seoyeon" are also displayed together.