Maps are an important part of many cultures. Maps represent the organization of space, the patterns of recurring phenomena, and the human effort to show where we are, and where we have been. Maps are a representation of cultural knowledge. The Shape of the Land: Topographical Painting and Maps in Late Joseon Korea is an exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. During the late Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) maps and topographical painting were an important part of Korean culture.
According to the display:
“Cartography became an important tool of governance in the eighteenth century, a time of rising prosperity, rapid population growth, and increased mobility. In order to better understand the lay of the land and the distribution of resources, the central government dispatched painters to record the topography of each province, noting the location of mountains, rivers, fortresses, and villages. The government actively promoted map-making, and the educated public eagerly followed their lead. Maps and atlases were produced in a wide variety of formats, including waterproofed portable books, suggesting that they were used for more than armchair travel.”
According to the display:
“Cityscape paintings were popular in the late Joseon dynasty. Often created in the folding screen format, these paintings functioned as maps but were also appreciated for their artistic merits.”
According to the display:
“This map depicts the inner and outer boundaries of the walled capital and conveys information about palaces, shrines, roads, and waterways. The map uses hieratic scale, showing the inner castle disproportionately larger scale in order to include more detail.”
According to the display:
“The site is an auspicious one, surrounded by mountains. In East Asian geomancy, mountains are regarded as conduits of energy and spirit; being encircled by layers of mountains retains propitious energy. As in many East Asian maps, all four sides of the map are ‘up,’ as if the viewer were standing in the map’s center.”
Museums 101
Museums 101 is series of photo tours of museum displays. More from this series:
Museums 101: Japanese Folk Art (Photo Diary)
Museum 101: 18th Century Japanese Prints (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Iranian Art (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Japanese Art (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: "Cranes, Dragons and Teddy Bears" (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Korean Art (Photo Diary)
Japanese Art: Noh, the Dance Drama of the Samurai (Photo Diary)