Lovers under the moon 

Shin Yoon-bok, a court painter of the Joseon dynasty, painted Lovers under the moon on paper, but the exact date remains unknown. His work offers a glimpse into the lives and emotions of individuals navigating a rigid social hierarchy. Shin Yoon-bok was known for his exceptional depictions of daily life. Here, we see a clandestine encounter between a man and a woman under the watchful eye of the moon. Notice the woman, discreetly covered, yet her lowered gaze hints at a mix of apprehension and excitement. What does it mean to steal away in a society where relationships were often dictated by social standing and familial duty? "I try to capture not just the appearance but the very essence of the human experience," Shin once said, "the unspoken desires, the hidden glances." Consider how Shin Yoon-bok's art gives a voice to those who operated outside the prescribed norms. The tender portrayal of these lovers invites us to reflect on the constraints placed upon individuals in the past and the courage it takes to defy them.