Restoration of Dancheong Painting at Heungbokjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace
Work to Begin as Early as April
The Heungbokjeon area of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where King Gojong of Joseon received foreign envoys, will be restored to its original appearance. The Cultural Heritage Administration's Palace and Royal Tombs Heritage Headquarters recently reported the dancheong restoration plan at a meeting of the Palace Cultural Heritage Subcommittee under the Cultural Heritage Committee. The work is expected to begin as early as April.
Heungbokjeon, meaning "bringing fortune," is a pavilion built in the 1860s during the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is located between Gyotaejeon and Hamhwadang. Records show that King Gojong received envoys from Germany, Japan, Italy, France, and other countries here. It is also known as the place where Queen Shinjeong, who adopted Gojong as her son and helped him ascend the throne, passed away in 1890.
Heungbokjeon was demolished during the Japanese colonial period. The current Heungbokjeon within Gyeongbokgung was restored by the Cultural Heritage Administration over about four years starting in 2015. The dancheong painting has not yet been applied.
The Palace and Royal Tombs Heritage Headquarters completed the traditional dancheong design based on major historical documents such as the Yeonggeon Ilgi (營建日記), the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and the Seungjeongwon Ilgi, as well as expert consultations. The restoration work is planned to be completed by the end of next year.
The Heritage Headquarters stated, "Since the wood is judged to be sufficiently dried, it is necessary to proceed with the dancheong restoration work to protect the structural members," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare in advance to prevent any problems after construction."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
