Korean Art His: Week 2 - Tomb of the Dancers

What time period was the Tomb of Dancers found?

1st half of 5th C., Goguryeo

Where was the Tomb of Dancers found?

Ji’an, Jilin Province, China

How many scenes are in the Tomb of Dancers

• Hunting Scene (Northwest wall, main chamber)

• Dancing Scene (Southeast wall, main chamber)

• Tomb Occupant receiving Buddhist Monks (Northeast wall, main chamber)

• Ceiling

What is the early style, motifs and relgion of tombs?

• Early (4th–5th c.):

  • Focus on portraits of the deceased + processions

  • Emphasis on status and power

What is the middle period style, motifs, and religion of tombs?

• Middle (5th–6th c.) – includes Tomb of the Dancers:

  • Dominant motifs = daily life scenes (dancing, hunting, feasting)

  • Reflect continuation of life after death

What is the late period style, motifs, and religion of tombs?

• Late (6th–7th c.):

  • Dominated by Four Directional Deities + celestial imagery

  • Strong Taoist cosmology

In the early time period what are the shifts in conception of the afterlife expressed in the murals?

Early: afterlife = continuation of elite status & authority

In the middle time period what are the shifts i conception of the afterlife expressed in the murals?

Middle: afterlife = lived experience (entertainment, hunting, daily life)

In the late time period what are the shifts i conception of the afterlife expressed in the murals?

Late: afterlife = cosmic/spiritual realm (universe, heaven, immortality)

What are forgien influences are shown?

• Chinese influence:

  • Painting techniques (color gradients in mountains)

  • Cosmology (yin-yang, Four Deities)

• Western Regions influence:

  • Foreign figures (hawk-nosed people, exotic dress)

How are the forgien influences reimagined by Goguryeo artists?

• Reimagined by Goguryeo:

  • More dynamic movement and energy

  • Integrated into local narratives (hunting, rituals)

what does the development of landscape painting look like in the early time period?

minimal / almost absent

what is does the development of landscape painting look like in the middle time period?

• Appears but flat and stylized

• Mountains shown with simple lines and color bands

what is does the development of landscape painting look like in the late time period?

• More realistic trees, clouds, depth

• Integrated into cosmic and symbolic scenes

What do early and late portraits of the deceased look like in Goguryeo tombs in general?

• Early: formal, frontal, static

• Later (Muyongchong):

  • Seated in profile

  • Hierarchy shown by size, objects, clothing

What do murals in the tombs represent?

• Dancing, hunting, feasting, processions

• Show:

  • Social hierarchy

  • Customs and lifestyle

  • Belief that life continues after death

How are Buddhist motifs incorporated in the tombs?

• Buddha, monks, lotus flowers

• Scenes of worship and preaching

• Represent: Salvation, rebirth, spiritual guidance

What are “auspicious” objects and what do they represent?

• represent:

  • Heaven / cosmic realm

  • eternal life and prosperity

• can be represented as: clouds, immortals, sacred herbs

What do landscape murals look like in early, middle and late time periods?

• Early: little emphasis

• Middle: decorative and symbolic

• Late: more developed, realistic, atmospheric

What real and imaginary animals are seen in the tombs and what do they represent?

• Real: horses, deer, hunting animals

• Imaginary: dragons, phoenix-like birds, hybrid creatures

• Shows: power, protection, spirituality

What are the 4 Deities (Sashin) and what do they represent?

• Azure Dragon (East) → protection, spring

• White Tiger (West) → strength, autumn

• Black Tortoise + Snake (North) → longevity, winter

• Vermilion Bird (South) → rebirth, summer

• Represent:

  • Cosmic order + protection of tomb

  • Based on Chinese yin-yang & five elements theory

What time period is Anak Tomb No.3 from?

357 CE (early period tomb)

Where is Anak Tomb No.3 located?

Anak-gun, North Korea

What key features does Anak Tomb No.3 have, and what does it represent?

Key features:

• Strong focus on portrait of tomb occupant and wife

• Procession scenes (hundreds of figures)

• Scenes of daily life (kitchen, stable, storage)

Shows: Elite power and wealth

Includes:

• Early Buddhist lotus motifs

• Evidence of foreign influence (Western Regions figures)

What time period is the Deokhueng-ri Tomb from?

408 CE

Where is the Deokhueng-ri Tomb located?

Deokheung-ri, Ganfseo Area, North Korea

What key features does Deokheung-ri Tomb have, and what does it represent?

Similar to Anak Tomb No. 3 (early period)

Features:

• Portraits + procession scenes

• Hunting scenes and daily life imagery

Unique aspects:

• Long epitaph describing tomb occupant

• Shows connection to Buddhism (disciple of Buddha)

Reflects:

• Continued emphasis on status and biography

What time period is the Jinpa-ri Tomb No.1 from?

Second half of the 6th C

Where is the Jipa-ri Tomb No.1 located?

Pyeongyang, North Korea

What key features does Jinpa-ri Tomb No.1 have, and what does it represent?

• Represents late Goguryeo style

• Features:

  • Four Directional Deities dominate

  • More developed landscape elements

    • Trees, clouds, movement

• Example:

  • Black Tortoise + Snake shown with natural surroundings

• Reflects:

  • Shift toward cosmic, symbolic afterlife

  • Higher level of artistic refinement