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Which qualities of Korean art are associated with simplicity and harmony with nature?
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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 qualities of Korean art associated with simplicity and harmony with nature are rooted in a traditional, naturalistic attitude that accepts the world as it is. This perspective fosters a deep appreciation for the unadorned and the inherent characteristics of materials.1
Key qualities include:
- Material Honesty: Artists prioritize the natural features of their medium, such as the wood grain in timber or the unrefined surfaces of pottery, rather than seeking mechanical perfection.1
- Restrained Intervention: The human hand is kept to a minimum. Decorative motifs, such as a single flower stem on a vase, are used sparingly to enhance the surrounding space rather than to fill it.1
- Avoidance of Extremes: Korean art favors gentle, mellow effects. It avoids sharp angles, steep planes, and garish colors, preferring modest, graceful curves and fluent lines.1
- Quiet Inner Harmony: Rather than emphasizing bold rhythms, the work aims for a sense of quiet inner harmony, reflecting a spontaneous and unselfconscious approach to creation.1