Arts of Korea

About this book

This volume, along with the major exhibition it accompanies, examines the most significant developments in the history of Korean art, from the Neolithic period to the nineteenth century, through outstanding examples of Korea's artistic achievements. Written by leading Korean art scholars and drawing upon the latest research in Korean art studies, the book examines stylistic characteristics and technical innovations in four major areas: ceramics, Buddhist sculpture, painting, metalwork and decorative arts. Attention is given to the political, social, and cultural conditions that led to the creation of the works of art, in particular the Korean peninsula's external relationships and interchanges with China on the continental mainland to the north and west and with the Japanese archipelago to the south.