부산광역시 서구청 영문 스킵네비게이션

This folding screen depicts the wedding of King Heonjong, the 24th king of the Joseon Dynasty, in 1844 when he married Queen Myeongheon (daughter of Hong Jae-ryong) as his second wife following the death of Queen Hyohyeon (daughter of Kim Jo-geun) due to illness in 1843. The wedding took place in Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace. The painting is by a court painter of Dohwaseo (Bureau of Painting) over eight panels on a silk canvas. Such paintings are precious materials that portray the proceedings of royal life; only one other existing painting, Garye banchadogwon, depicts a royal wedding.

On the first panel is Deputy Director of Office of Royal Decrees Jo Byeong-gu’s congratulatory letter written in Haengseo Style handwriting. On the eighth panel of the folding screen is Seonjeongwang cheongjwamok, a list of twenty-six officials of Office of Heralds (Seonjeongwan) in order of their designated seats. The second, third, sixth, and seventh panel consists of ink paintings of buildings amidst mountain and trees behind Changdeokgung Palace. The wedding ceremony spans to the forth panel to sixth panel, with the fifth panel depicting Injeongjeon Hall where the king and queen were wed. Over three hundred guests are present in the painting surrounding the throne, assisting with the proceedings, bowing before the pedestal, or guarding the perimeter in full uniform, all painted in full color and great detail.

Most paintings depicting court customs are stiff and formal, but this folding screen is faithful to the aesthetic aspect just as well. The Seonjeongwan cheongjwamok list on the panel indicates that this copy of the painting was commissioned to the court painters by officials who wanted a duplicate to celebrate the occasion.