A Collector's Invitation: The Story of Lee Kun-Hee's Bequest

I recently had the opportunity to view a very special exhibit in Seoul. Lee Kun-Hee, the former chairman of Samsung, bequeathed a priceless series of artwork and national heritages to the country upon his passing. His former collection was displayed at the National Museum of Korea for a limited time to observe the first anniversary of his donation. Hundreds of people flooded the museum to get a glimpse of pieces that they had seen only in textbooks and through replications sold at tourist's attractions. All for great reason, too. The exhibit was truly impressive in its wide collection of traditional Korean art, and even featured some pieces by big names in the West such as Claude Monet and Salvador Dali.

Porcelain vase from Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)

As soon as I walked into the display room, I was surrounded by countless objects of art steeped in Korea's ancestral heritage. Ranging from pottery to paintings to even scrolls with calligraphy, there were numerous items that told the story of Korea's traditional culture. Among these cherished artifacts, a common motif was the depiction of oxen and cranes. The traditional peoples of Korea were a primarily agricultural group, and relied heavily on oxen for heavy labor. As such, the ox was highly regarded and considered as members of the family in farmers' households. The crane, on the other hand, was considered to be a symbol of longevity and good luck. Its elegant form thus makes numerous appearances in traditional art from the Joseon era.

Folding screen with crane design from Joseon Era (1392-1910)

The exhibit progresses to showcase artwork from more modern eras, as well as a display dedicated to religious artifacts. There were plenty of sculptures, ceramics, and paintings, all with an incredible amount of detail. In addition, the artifacts, despite some of them being thousands of years old, were in amazing condition. Clearly, they had been handled and preserved with the utmost care. The fact that the pieces were in such great condition made viewing them much easier, as the finer details were still clearly visible.

Gold belt and earrings

All in all, the exhibit, with its exquisite artwork and impeccable display, was truly unforgettable. The works of art were like snapshots from the past, allowing viewers a glimpse into the lives of those from thousands of years ago. I wanted to share a little bit about this experience, as it was something I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. With that being said, I hope this overview of Lee Kun-Hee's exhibit helped shed a bit of light on elements of Korean culture and history, as well as its beautiful artwork.