Bamboo Painted by a Court Painter on White Porcelain
Jar
  • White porcelain with plum and bamboo design painted in undergzlea iron-brown
  • Joseon Dynasty, late 16th–early 17th century
  • duk 6294
  • National Treasure

This jar is a representative work of late 16th to early 17th century, renowned for both its refined form and exceptional painted decoration. Bold brushstrokes in dark brown depict bamboo and plum blossoms across the entire surface. The bamboo is rendered using the mogu technique, in which tonal variations of ink are used without outlines. In contrast, the plum blossoms are painted in the gureuk style, where outlines are drawn first and then filled in with lighter colors. The painting is believed to be the work of a court artist from the Dohwaseo. It offers a compelling example of how literati-style bamboo painting, popular among scholar-officials, began to influence professional court painters after the 16th century.