김홍도 ≪신선도8첩병풍≫의 호로신선(葫蘆神仙) 이미지

Abstract

Kim Hongdo (1745—1806)'s screen painting titled, Daoist Immortal Painting allows many new interpretations possible about the immortal images within the genre of Daoist immortal painting. The immortal images were portrayed with symbolic meanings for longevity, fundamentally carries the meaning expresses longing and wishes of long living, to be cured from illness and maintain a healthy body, and also a longing to bring good fortune through the sounds in practicing the way of Daoism. Thus, the images can be understood as a symbol for a life full of good wishes, and longevity. These images were a visual representation that longs for a peaceful world in which the benevolent king rules with wisdom. In this sense, it can be assumed that the “images of immortals holding a gourd bottle” in the Joseon period was understood as an expression of wishing longevity. These images were symbolic objects filled with auspicious meanings, as well as a strong desire for a world full of happiness and peace. Based on the Daoist knowledge of the iconic immortal, the “images of immortals holding a gourd bottle” were visually represented in the most creative way that best brought out the unique characteristic of each immortal. In addition, the images were depicted with delicate brush strokes and vivid colors expressing the immortal vitality, which evokes an auspicious and fortunate sense of feeling to the viewer. Kim Hongdo's exquisite rendering of the immortal's facial expression and the spontaneous yet carefully schemed boneless-manner brush strokes applied on the immortal's attire seems to demonstrate the figure's transcendence of worldly matters. The brushstrokes here are no longer a mere “ink and brush” applied on paper; it rather embodies a more philosophical and symbolical message. Study procedures in this article are oriented of the microscopic understanding in the visual cultural aspects and they would have significance as a ground work of cultural study of the epoch not as a simple appreciation of the painting. This is an approach to move up to the next level with efforts of giving historical values and meanings to the artworks of the past by new analysis and evaluation.