General View of Inner Geumgang 1834 - 1866

"General View of Inner Geumgang," was created in the 19th century by Sin Hak-gwon, also known as Doam, using ink and color on paper. The monochromatic ink, modulating from pale washes to deep blacks, gives a sense of the landscape's misty atmosphere. The texture of the paper itself becomes an important part of the work, with its absorbent quality influencing the ink's diffusion and the overall softness of the image. We can imagine Doam carefully grinding his ink stick, adjusting the water to achieve different tonal values, and expertly wielding his brush to capture the dramatic topography. Doam was not only capturing the beauty of the Geumgang mountains, but also engaging with a long tradition of landscape painting and calligraphy in Korea. In this work, he is participating in a form of cultural expression, linked to social status, education, and a refined sensibility. It shows a reverence for the natural world, as well as a mastery of technique cultivated through disciplined practice.