Now fully restored, Haehakbandodo, a folding screen of the sea, cranes and peaches, will be on public display at the National Palace Museum before its return to the Dayton Art Institute,USA. Korean cultural properties outside of Korea have had difficulties in being properly appraised due to the few local experts in conservation treatment of Korean cultural properties and people with deep knowledge of Korean national heritage. The Cultural Heritage Administration and Overseas Korean Cultural Her itage Foundation have worked hard to ascertain the present condition of Korea cultural properties outside of Korea and support their conservation and treatment.
 
This exhibition features Sea, Cranes and Peaches restored to its original appearance after two years of conservation treatment in Korea. The screen is on public view in Korea for the first time before it is returned to its collector, the Dayton Art Institute. Come visit the Palace Museum to enjoy the mysterious scene depicted in the Sea, Cranes and Peaches.

Sea, Cranes and Peaches Haehakbandodo

Joseon, Late 19th – early 20th century
Color on silk, gold leaf
Overall 244.5×780.0cm|Painting 210.0×720.5cm
Collection of Dayton Art Institute

Haehakbandodo, a folding screen with the image of the sea, cranes and peaches–three of the ten longevity symbols–were very popular in the royal court at the end of the Joseon period.
The theme of sea, cranes and peaches were produced for diverse court occasions, including the royal wedding of the Crown Prince. The sea, cranes and peaches, which bear fruit only every 3,000 years, symbolize longevity and embody the desire for eternal life.



About the Dayton Art Institute

The Dayton Art Institute in Ohio, USA began as an art school in 1919 on the generosity of a number of community donors. Having celebrated 100 years in 2019, the museum’s collection numbers more than 26,000 objects from different eras and vast regions from the world including 70 Korean artifacts. With support from the National Museum of Korea, the Dayton Art Institute plans to renovate the Korean Gallery. The new Korean Gallery showcasing some 20 Korean artifacts including the folding screen of Sea, Cranes and Peaches, which have been kept in the museum storage, will introduce visitors to the culture and history of Korea.