Minhwa
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Minhwa refers to Korean folk art produced mostly by itinerant or unknown artists without formal training, emulating contemporary trends in fine art for the purpose of everyday use or decoration.
Magpie and Tiger is one of the representative paintings of Korean folk painting.
Myogudo (Cat)
Gammo yeojaedo (감모여제도, 感慕如在圖)
Magpie and tiger
Yangban
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The yangban were the ruling class during the Joseon period of dynastic Korea. They were highly educated aristocrats who individually exemplified the Korean Confucian form of the scholar-official. They
Minhwa
…intentionally given a ridiculous and stupid appearance (hence its nickname 'idiot tiger' 바보호랑이, babo horangi), represents authority and the aristocratic yangban, while the dignified magpie represents the common man. Hence, kkachi horangi paintings of magpies and tigers were a satire of the hierarchical structure…
A Korean official during his stay in China, 1863
A leisure class: a yangban takes a break while hunting. Hyewon, early 19th century.
One of the earliest photographs depicting yangban, taken in 1863.