HISTORY OF KOREAN ART 1

This course aims to frame the historical development of ancient Korean arts, from the Neolithic to the Goryeo period included (c. 8000 BCE – 1392 CE), contextualising artistic and architectural objects not only within their original production environment but also within the broader socio-political and cultural landscape surrounding the Korean peninsula.

Through the study of representative artworks and visual materials, students will learn the fundamental terminology, key concepts, historical periods, and stylistic characteristics essential for understanding Korean art history. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between artistic production and its broader historical, social, and intellectual contexts.

By the end of the course, students will acquire the basic knowledge and analytical tools necessary to identify and interpret major forms of Korean artistic expression, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and architecture.


Note: the course is conducted in ENGLISH.

By combining attendance of lectures (highly recommended) with careful study of reference texts and other materials provided by the lecturer, students will acquire a solid knowledge of ancient Korean art, also in relation to the artistic and cultural framework of neighbouring regions: China, Japan, and Northern Asia. Specifically:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
- General characteristics of ancient Korean art through representative objects and monuments.
- Correlation of Korean art with the cultures and arts of neighbouring regions.
- Fundamentals of iconography and symbolism, with references to philosophical-religious, literary, and social contexts transposed into works of art.
- Chronological evolution of productions, styles, schools, and the interplay between different artistic media.
- Specialist terminology in the field of art, extending beyond the Korean ethnic and cultural sphere.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
- Skills in critically analysing artefacts and monuments as well as broader artistic and cultural themes.
- Ability to use acquired skills to express oneself accurately and effectively in the field of Korean art history — and beyond — at an academic level.

CRITICAL THINKING
The course provides essential tools for recognising diverse artefacts and monuments and situating them within their original context to deepen understanding of how they were made, why they were created, where and when, by whom and for whom, what they represent (explicitly and/or implicitly), and their historical journey over time.

LEARNING SKILLS
Ability to deepen historical-artistic issues related to Korea through bibliographic research, study of primary and secondary sources, visual analysis, and study of museum collections.

None. However, it is assumed that Korean language students have attended or are concurrently attending courses in Korean literature, history, philosophy, etc. Knowledge of these disciplines for other cultural regions of East and North Asia provides an advantage for the prompt understanding and assimilation of references made during the lectures.

This lecture provides a general overview of Korean art history, organized by period and kingdom to help students understand its historical development.

Prehistoric Art (from Palaeolithic to Bronze Age) (ca. 8000 – ca. 300 BCE)
Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla) (I century BCE – 668 CE)
Unified Silla and Balhae (668–935)
Goryeo (918–1392)

MANDATORY (all available in the library)
Textbook:Portal, Jane, Korea – Art and Archaeology, The Trustees of The British Museum, London 2000. Required: pp. 9–11, 20–107 + Appendix 1, pp. 215–227 (excluding information concerning Joseon ceramics).

Further readings:
Choi, Jongtaik, “The Development of the Pottery Technologies of the Korean Peninsula and Their Relationship to Neighbouring Regions”. In Byington, Mark E. (ed.), Early Korea 1. Reconsidering Early Korean History Through Archaeology, Harvard University, Cambridge (MA) 2008, pp. 157-198.
Chung, Woothak, “Iconography, Technique, and Context in Koryŏ Buddhist Paintings” (escluso il paragrafo Iconographic Succession from Koryŏ to Chŏson) + Joo, Kyeongmi, “The Gold Jewelry of Ancient Silla: Syncretism of Northern and Southern Asian Cultures”. In Kim, Youn-mi (ed.), Early Korea Project Occasional Series. New Perspectives on Early Korean Art: From Silla to Koryŏ, Harvard University, Cambridge (MA) 2013, pp. 11-40, 50-72, 243-302.
Kim, Sunkyung, “Sculptures of the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla” + Choi, Sun-ah, “Koryŏ Buddhist Sculpture: Issues and History”. In Park, J.P. – Jungmann, Burglind – Rhi, Juhyung (ed.), A companion to Korean art, John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken (NJ) 2020, pp. 57-82, 159-178.
Park, J.P., Burglind Jungmann, Juhyung Rhi (eds). 2020. A Companion to Korean Art. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
The Arts of Korea: A Resource for Educators — Elizabeth Hammer (ed.), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2001.
Available for free download: https://www.metmuseum.org/met-publications/the-arts-of-korea-a-resource-for-educators

For geographic and chronological orientation of East Asia, refer to: Barnes, Gina L., Archaeology of East Asia: The Rise of Civilization in China, Korea and Japan, Oxbow Books, Oxford 2015, Chapter I – Orientation: pp. XVI–XVII (chronological tables), 1–7 (Grounding / National chronologies), 13–25 (East Asian cultural successions).

Additional readings will be suggested at the start of the course.

Written test.

The test will be a 30-minute written exam consisting of four parts:
1- Three multiple-choice questions (with four answer options per question)
2- Four short-answer questions
3- Identification of title, material, chronology and provenance of two works of art
4- A critical analysis of one work of art (students will choose from among two works of art that will be shown during exam).

More specifically, the test will weigh:
a) knowledge of the fundamental notions on Chinese art and archaeology, included the basis terminology;
b) ability to describe formally a work of art;
c) ability to analyse stylistically a work of art;
d) ability to comment in critical-historical way a work of art.

International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course.
Students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The final grade (minimum 18/30, maximum 30/30) is determined by the sum of the scores obtained in the three exam sections.

Lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations.
In the 2026–27 academic year, the course will be taught in ENGLISH.

Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Recording or photographing PowerPoint materials during class is not permitted; therefore, regular attendance is highly encouraged.

All course materials are intended solely for students enrolled in the course and for personal study. The reproduction, distribution, sharing, or uploading of these materials on websites, social media, or other online platforms is strictly prohibited and may constitute a violation of copyright regulations.

The present syllabus may be modified before the start of the course.