Hyewon Shin Yunbok

Born in 1758, Shin Yun bok better known as Hyewon is a famous painter of the Joseon dynasty. His father Hanpyeong and grandfather were also royal court painters. Hyewon was known for his realistic despictions of daily life of his time. He was very influenced by his contemporary Kim Hong Do said  Danwon, yet he developed his own style and technique. He was an expert at many genre such as paiting landscapes, animals…and eroticism though Confucianism considered sexual pleasure as taboo . At that time, during the period of king Young Jo and king Jeong Jo also known as the renaissance of the Joseon dynasty, Chinese erotic culture widespread among middle class people. Hyewon showed different sceneries of Gisaengs entertaining Yangbans . He used very bright colors and used the whole canvas unlike traditional paiting. His creations were very important since they offered an insight to lifestyle and costumes. 30 of Shin Yun Bok’s painting in the album “Hyewon pungsokhwacheop” were designated as the 135^th national treasure of Korea in 1970.

See more paintings HERE

According to the historical drama The painter of the wind and the movie Portrait of a beauty, Shin Yun Bok was a woman dressed like a man to become a painter. Both the movie and drama, claim that Kim taught Yun Bok how to paint, and that their friendship turned into love.

Portrait of a beauty

The painter of the wind