Art historian explores the lives of 16 Joseon dynasty painters

Art historian and poet Lim Hee-suk examines the lives of 16 Joseon Dynasty painters in her new book, "What the Paintings of Joseon Tell Me."

She analyzes the personal stories, friendships, and hardships of these artists by studying the inscriptions and poems they left on their works. Lim Hee-suk uses "Gwanji," which record the time and location of a painting, and "Jesi," which are accompanying poems, to reveal the inner worlds of the artists.

For example, she explores a 1744 painting by Sim Sa-jeong that captures a sudden summer rainstorm, which later inspired a friend to write about his lost comrades. She also describes how Yun Du-seo, a politically marginalized artist, found solace and intellectual community with friends during difficult times. The book also details the personal struggles and bold actions of the painters. It recounts how Shin Yun-bok took pride in breaking social taboos by depicting the daily lives of gisaeng, female entertainers.

Lim Hee-suk argues that reading the words left on these canvases allows modern viewers to sit across from the artists and hear their stories from centuries ago.