The first overseas tour of the cultural heritage and art collection of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee has begun at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington. Shown is painter Jeong Seon's 1751 landscape painting "Inwangjesaekdo" (Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang), which is part of the collection. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Lee Jihae

The first overseas tour of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee's cultural heritage and art collection has begun in Washington.

The National Museum of Korea (NMK) and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) on Nov. 14 said they are hosting the exhibition "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared" from Nov. 15 to Feb. 1 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington.

On display are 297 items of cultural heritage including 172 designated National Treasure and 15 Treasure from the NMK collection, as well as 24 modern and contemporary pieces by artists such as Park Soo Keun and Kim Whanki from the MMCA collection.

Highlights of Joseon paintings and calligraphy include "Inwangjesaekdo" (Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang) by Jeong Seon, a master of realistic landscape paintings; "Chaekgado," which shows a neo-Confucian scholar's belongings in a bookcase to reflect the collection culture of the literati; Yi Myeonggi's "Portrait of Jo Hangjin," which captures the inner spiritual world; and Kim Hong-do's "Chuseongbudo" (Sounds of Autumn), which embodies the providence of nature.

Others not to miss are the "Irworobongdo" (Sun, Moon and Five Peaks)," which has shot up in fame famous due to the animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters," and "Worin Seokbo" (Episodes from the Life of Buddha Shakyamuni as Reflections of the Moon)," which shows the history and artistry of the Korean alphabet Hangeul and royal Buddhist beliefs.

The Buddhist section offers a comprehensive view of Korean Buddhist culture through works such as the Gilt-bronze Standing Bodhisattva Triad from the Three Kingdoms period (fourth to seventh centuries); Flower Garland (Avatamsaka) Sutra Vol. 15 written and illustrated in gold from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392); and "Sajiksajado" (Four Underworld Messengers) and a beopgodae (drum stand), which illustrate Buddhist beliefs and rituals of the Joseon era (1392-1910).

After closing in Washington on Feb. 1, the exhibition will move to the Art Institute of Chicago from March 7 to July 5 and later to the British Museum in London from Sept. 10 through Jan. 10, 2027.

jihlee80@korea.kr