옥산 이우의 서예관 고찰

Abstract

At the end of the 16th century, the gentry society in Joseon was being collapsed because of the massacre of scholars, and the social and econom ic chaos culminated in the long war of Japanese Invasion of Korea. Nevertheless the nobleman who was thrust out of the political arena retired to hermitage in the mountains and deployed active academic and cultural activities, thereby resulting in cultural golden age in Joseon. In Calligraphy, the style of Zhao Mengfu in Ming dynasty was in fashion, and the cursive characters of Wang Xizhi, Huai Su and Zhang Xu gave great influences on the then society. These styles of calligraphy merged into distinct new one, characterized by several masters, including Oksan Lee Woo. Compared with his mother Shin Sayimdang and his elder brother Yulgok Lee Yi, his activities and achievements were not so much known. However, inheriting the artistic talents of his mother, he was outstanding in poetry, calligraphy, painting and music, renowned as one of the “Four Greats.” However, his ability is now only known to a few specialists and scholars, although it is not certain whether its reason is because he was covered with the influences of his mother and his elder brother. Nevertheless, his artistic ability cannot be outstripped by his family members, since he had been known as one of the “Four Greats.” Among his talents, his calligraphy is characterized by magnificent, strong and delicate stroke, praised as precious works like jewels. At his early stage, influenced by his mother, his style of calligraphy is characterized by that of Wang Xizhi. After then, influenced by Gosan Hwang Gi-ro, called as “Sage of Cursive Characters in our country,” and by lots of comprehensive advantages of various styles, he formed his unique style. In general, any writing contains the accumulated learning, philosophy and thoughts of the author. That cannot be achieved only by the chief trick. His achievements could be earned by his virtue added to his artistic talents after years of hard work. Oksan first learned any handwriting and then accepted it to show the true state of panting. In this study, his view of calligraphy was divided into three stages; the first stage, influenced by his mother; the second stage, accepting, after his marriage, the style of Gosan; and the third stage, achieving success after accepting comprehensive advantages of various styles at his old age. The age of old, which had completed the west wind of the country, was considered in three stages.