Joseon-period picture book sold for record price at auction

A Joseon-period book of paintings and writings has been sold for a record 3.4 billion won ($3.1 million), the highest price ever paid for ancient Korean artwork.

The book with the long title “Toeuieseonsaengjinjeokcheop” was said to have been bought by an unknown telephone bidder during an auction at K-Auction in Seoul in September.

But according to the Cultural Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, the ownership of the old piece of art has been transferred to Samsung Foundation of Culture and a new treasure certificate was issued to the foundation Nov. 5. 

The 18-page book features writings and paintings by some of the greatest writers and painters of Joseon period, including scholars Lee Hwang, Song Si-yeol and painter Jeong Seon.

One of the paintings drawn by Jeong Seon in “Gyesangjeong Geodo” (1746) is featured on the 1,000 won note.

The foundation said it bid for the book as it considered the work to be “worth having” for research or exhibition purposes in the future, adding that it plans to showcase it through an exhibition.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)