Metallurgical Mohaeng 1805

Curator: This is Shin Yun-bok's "Metallurgical Mohaeng," painted around 1805. Shin was a master of genre painting during the late Joseon Dynasty. Editor: It strikes me as secretive, almost theatrical. The subdued palette with the exception of the official’s robes adds to the illicit air of the moment depicted. Curator: Yes, Shin Yun-bok was quite daring for his time, portraying scenes of everyday life, often featuring the entertainment of the upper classes, sometimes considered risque. The social hierarchy of the time plays out even in these clandestine moments. Editor: The men's hats tell a story of status, certainly, but what about the woman with the long pipe? The detail there, it suggests something particular about her role, her presence in this... meeting. The pipe itself is an evocative emblem. Curator: Tobacco was a status symbol, especially that type of long pipe. And her clothing is stylish. Remember, at this time, there were increasingly fluid boundaries between the classes and burgeoning consumerism. We see that expressed visually in this genre scene. This work speaks to shifting social boundaries, I think. Editor: The crescent moon also seems relevant to the illicit undertones of the painting. Night cloaks their meeting, just as metaphor conceals meaning. Moonlight is a classic symbol of secrets, illuminating just enough, but obscuring the truth. Curator: Absolutely, that tension is key. By placing his work in the genre painting tradition, Shin secured some degree of acceptance from the elite art establishment. He skirts the edges of decorum while seemingly upholding it. Editor: Looking closely, it is interesting that even in a scene depicting questionable morality the red robes of the government official are rendered in a saturated and visually arresting manner while other details such as architectural features and lantern light fall into an ambiguous dream-like state. Fascinating! Curator: Precisely! This genre scene reveals the cracks within Joseon society, showing, but also concealing social change with masterful brushstrokes.