Butterflies and Peonies

Attributed to Nam Gye-u Korean

mid- to late19th century

Not on view

Famous for his elegant paintings of butterflies, the literati artist Nam Gye-u earned the nickname “Nam Butterfly.” This scroll, though lacking the artist’s signature or seal, closely reflects his style. It was likely originally one panel of a multipanel screen, with each scene depicting butterflies fluttering amid a different flowering plant. Here, the subtly hued yet luscious peonies provide an ideal foil for butterflies of varying color and texture. Oversized relative to the peony blossoms, the butterflies command the viewer’s attention, as intended by the artist. In addition to being a talented painter, Nam was also well versed in poetry and literary criticism, the attributes of the ideal Joseon-period Confucian scholar.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

전 일호 남계우 나비와 모란 조선
傳　一濠南啓宇　蝴蝶圖　朝鮮
Title: Butterflies and Peonies
Artist: Attributed to Nam Gye-u (Korean, 1811–1890) (artist name: Ilho)
Period: Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Date: mid- to late19th century
Culture: Korea
Medium: Ink and color on silk
Dimensions: 36 1/4 x 12 3/16 in. (92.1 x 31 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1977
Object Number: 1977.448
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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