Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What do the Goguryeo royal tomb murals reveal about early Korean painting?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Korean art
Dragon jar, porcelain with iron-painted decoration under clear glaze, Korea, mid-17th century; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 31.4 × 37.1 cm. Diameter at mouth 12 cm. Diameter at base 9.5 cm.
The Goguryeo (Koguryŏ) royal tomb murals provide the earliest evidence of Korean painting, offering a window into the artistic evolution of the Three Kingdoms period. These murals reveal a distinct progression in style and subject matter:1
- Early Phase (4th century): Paintings focused on solemn, godlike portraits of the deceased and their spouses, executed with delicate, wiry outlines and a subdued color palette of black, yellow, red, green, and purple.1
- Middle Phase (5th–6th century): The style shifted toward dynamism and animation. Portraits began depicting the master in active life events, such as feasting or hunting. Artists utilized bold, forceful brushstrokes to emphasize movement, capturing galloping horses and fleeing game with a spirit reflective of a hunter-warrior culture.12
- Final Phase (6th–7th century): Influenced by Chinese painting, techniques became more refined with flowing lines and intensified colors. Genre scenes were replaced by depictions of the Four Deities, reflecting Daoist themes.1
Overall, these works demonstrate that early Korean painting was defined by a powerful, emotional quality that prioritized movement and vitality over purely formal or decorative aesthetics.2