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Ssireum (Wrestling), from Danwon Pungsokdo Album

씨름 · Kim Hong-do (Danwon, 1745-after 1816 per Commons) · c. 1780

ArtistKim Hong-do (Danwon, 1745-after 1816 per Commons) (김홍도)
Periodc. 1780
Country / cultureKorea (Joseon dynasty)
MediumColor on paper (per Commons ImageDescription, 27 x 22.7 cm)
MuseumNational Museum of Korea (per Commons ImageDescription)
LicensePublic Domain (Wikimedia Commons, License=pd)

About this work

From Kim Hong-do's album of genre paintings (c. 1780), a traditional Korean wrestling match ringed by spectators records everyday leisure in late Joseon Korea through gesture and expression.

The full Korean essay is available in the Korean version; this English page provides a concise guide rather than a full translation.

Points to look for

  • See how the circular crowd focuses on the two wrestlers.
  • Read the direction of force from hands, legs and leaning bodies.
  • Look for small background figures that set place and occasion.

Questions

  • 구경꾼이 없다면 이 장면의 느낌은 어떻게 달라질까요?
  • 오늘날 스포츠 중계 화면과 비교하면 시점과 구도가 어떻게 다른가요?
  • 작은 화첩에 많은 인물을 넣으면서도 혼잡하지 않은 이유는 무엇일까요?

Rights & source

Kim Hong-do (Danwon, 1745-after 1816 per Commons), Ssireum (Wrestling), from Danwon Pungsokdo Album (c. 1780), National Museum of Korea (per Commons ImageDescription). Image: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).

Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons, License=pd) · Wikimedia Commons File:Danwon-Ssireum.jpg

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