
Geumgang jeondo, painted by Jeong Seon in 1734, is a landscape painting of Mt. Geumgangsan, also known as the Diamond Mountains. The painting, which is considered to be Jeong Seon's best work, depicts a total of twelve thousand peaks, with the highest peak, Birobong, in the background. Jeong Seon's love for the mountain is evident in his meticulous painting of the granite and diorite peaks, creating an impressive mountain of mountains. This painting is a significant departure from the Chinese-inspired styles of the time, marking a shift towards a focus on Korean landscapes and the artist's unique interpretation of the scenery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Painting | Geumgang jeondo (Korean: 금강전도; Hanja: 金剛全圖) |
| Translation of the Name | General view of Mt. Geumgangsan or The Diamond Mountains |
| Artist | Jeong Seon (artist name: Gyeomjae) |
| Year of Painting | 1734 |
| Height | 130.7 cm |
| Width | 94.1 cm |
| Medium | India ink |
| Subject | Naegeumgan, the Inner Mt. Geumgangsan |
| Number of Peaks | 12,000 |
| Highest Peak | Birobong |
| Location of the Painting | Ho-Am Art Museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province |
| Owner | Lee Kun-hee |
| National Treasure Classification | 217th National Treasure of South Korea |
| Year of Classification | 1984 |
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What You'll Learn
- The painting depicts the mountain's 12,000 peaks, including the highest, Birobong
- It is a bird's-eye view of Naegeumgang, or Inner Mt. Geumgangsan
- The painting is 130.7cm tall and 94.1cm wide, painted with India ink
- Geumgang Jeondo translates to General View of Mt. Geumgangsan or The Diamond Mountains
- Jeong Seon's work is considered a significant shift in Korean art, moving away from Chinese-inspired styles

The painting depicts the mountain's 12,000 peaks, including the highest, Birobong
Jeong Seon's painting Geumgang jeondo (translated as ''General View of Mt. Geumgangsan' or 'The Diamond Mountains') depicts the mountain's 12,000 peaks, including its highest, Birobong, in the background. The painting is a landscape of Mt. Geumgangsan (also known as Mt. Geumgang, Naegeumgang, or Inner Mt. Geumgangsan), which is located in modern-day North Korea. It is considered one of Jeong Seon's best works and is the largest of his paintings of the mountain, measuring 130.7 cm in height and 94.1 cm in width. The artist painted the granite and diorite peaks of the mountain using India ink, creating an impressive "mountain of mountains".
Jeong Seon's painting style is known for its unique focus on Korean landscapes, departing from the Chinese-inspired styles that were common among his contemporaries. His work initiated a significant shift in Korean art towards realism, with place names adding cultural value. This particular painting is believed to have been created while viewing the mountains, capturing a true-view landscape. However, it is important to note that Jeong Seon's paintings of the Diamond Mountain show a degree of distortion and modification, indicating his artistic interpretation of the scenery.
The inclusion of 12,000 peaks in the painting emphasizes the grandeur and vastness of Mt. Geumgangsan. The composition harmonizes the contrasting sharp edges of the rocky peaks with the softer earthen peaks. The high, sharp peaks are depicted with vertical lines, while the artist used a dotting brush method to portray the softer earthen peaks, making them appear lush and almost dreamlike. This technique adds to the sense of drama and discovery that Jeong Seon's paintings of the Diamond Mountains are known for.
Birobong, the tallest peak, is positioned in the background, with water flowing from it towards a valley called Manpokdong. The painting also includes other prominent sites, such as the Jangan Temple and the adjacent stone bridge in the foreground centre. Jeong Seon often labelled important sites in his paintings, a convention that other artists followed. The painting's composition, with its multiple perspectives and careful brushstrokes, showcases the artist's mastery and personal style, which would influence Korean art for years to come.
The mountain depicted in the painting is considered one of the best-known mountains in North Korea. The painting, created in 1734, is now classified as the 217th National Treasure of South Korea, even though the mountain is located in North Korea and access for South Koreans is limited. This irony underscores the cultural significance of the artwork and the mountain it depicts.
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It is a bird's-eye view of Naegeumgang, or Inner Mt. Geumgangsan
Jeong Seon's painting, Geumgang jeondo, offers a bird's-eye view of Naegeumgang, or Inner Mt. Geumgangsan, also known as the Diamond Mountains. This painting is the largest of Jeong's works, measuring 130.7 cm in height and 94.1 cm in width, and is considered his masterpiece. It depicts a total of twelve thousand peaks, with the highest peak, Birobong, in the background. The painting masterfully harmonizes the contrasting sharp edges of the rocky peaks with the softer earthen peaks.
Jeong Seon created this painting in 1734 during the reign of King Yeongjo. It is painted with India ink and is currently held by the Ho-Am Art Museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The painting is classified as the 217th National Treasure of South Korea, reflecting its cultural significance.
Jeong Seon's love for Mt. Geumgangsan is evident, as he painted it at least 100 times, capturing its beauty from various angles and perspectives. His unique style and focus on Korean landscapes, rather than following Chinese trends, made him the preeminent painter of his time. Jeong's paintings of the Diamond Mountains, with their dramatic and majestic depictions, have influenced other artists and continue to capture the imagination of viewers today.
The Diamond Mountains, located in what is now North Korea, hold a special significance in Korean culture and history. They have been known by various names throughout the seasons, reflecting the deep connection Koreans have with this beloved mountain. The area has become a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors and bridging the divide between North and South Korea, however fragile it may be.
Overall, Jeong Seon's Geumgang jeondo is a remarkable bird's-eye view of Naegeumgang, showcasing the artist's skill, love for the mountains, and contribution to the development of Korean art.
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The painting is 130.7cm tall and 94.1cm wide, painted with India ink
The painting, titled Geumgang jeondo, is a large work by Jeong Seon, measuring 130.7 cm in height and 94.1 cm in width. It is painted with India ink and depicts a landscape of Mt. Geumgangsan, also known as the Diamond Mountains, located in present-day North Korea. This mountain was a beloved subject for Jeong Seon, who is said to have painted it at least 100 times during his career.
Jeong Seon's Geumgang jeondo is considered his most impressive work, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail in rendering the granite and diorite peaks of the mountain. The painting is a true-view landscape, marking a significant shift in Korean art during the late Joseon Dynasty, moving away from Chinese-inspired styles and towards a focus on Korean landscapes.
The painting's dimensions contribute to its impact, with the height of 130.7 cm allowing for a dramatic depiction of the mountain's twelve thousand peaks. The width of 94.1 cm provides a panoramic view of the landscape, inviting viewers to imagine themselves standing before the majestic mountain range.
The use of India ink is a notable choice by Jeong Seon. Ink painting was a traditional East Asian art form, and Jeong Seon's mastery of ink wash painting techniques is evident in Geumgang jeondo. The ink allows for subtle variations in tone and texture, enhancing the sense of depth and dimensionality in the landscape.
The painting's size and medium contribute to its powerful presence, making it a celebrated masterpiece in Korean art history and a significant departure from the artistic trends of his contemporaries.
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Geumgang Jeondo translates to General View of Mt. Geumgangsan or The Diamond Mountains
Geumgang Jeondo, painted in 1734, is a famous landscape painting by the Korean artist Jeong Seon (1676-1759). The title translates to "General View of Mt. Geumgangsan" or "The Diamond Mountains". The painting depicts Naegeumgan, the Inner Mt. Geumgangsan, and includes 12,000 peaks. The highest peak, Birobong, is in the background, with water flowing from it towards a valley called Manpokdong. The composition harmonises the contrasting sharp edges of the rocky peaks with the softer earthen peaks.
Jeong Seon's love for the mountain is evident in his numerous paintings of it. He is said to have painted it at least 100 times, experimenting with different compositions and perspectives. The Diamond Mountains, located in what is now North Korea, is one of the best-known mountains in the region. Jeong Seon's paintings of Geumgansan made him famous and the preeminent painter of his time. He initiated a significant shift in Korean art, moving away from Chinese-inspired styles to a focus on Korean landscapes.
The painting Geumgang Jeondo is large, measuring 130.7 cm in height and 94.1 cm in width, and is painted with India ink. It is currently held and managed by the Ho-Am Art Museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and is classified as the 217th National Treasure of South Korea since 1984. The mountain has several seasonal names in Korean, including Kŭmgang in spring, Pongraesan in summer, Phung'aksan in autumn, and Kaegolsan in winter.
The inscription in the top left corner of the painting includes the date and the artist's signature and stamp. The brushstrokes in the painting are careful and delicate, indicating that Jeong Seon was still searching for his personal style. He would later become known for his powerful vertical strokes. The painting's circular composition creates a "Geumgang planet", with some elements resized, displaced, or suppressed compared to the actual scenery.
Jeong Seon's paintings of the Diamond Mountains, including Geumgang Jeondo, are a testament to his love for the mountains and have influenced many artists. His unique themes and style have left a lasting impact on Korean art history.
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Jeong Seon's work is considered a significant shift in Korean art, moving away from Chinese-inspired styles
Jeong Seon, born in 1676, was a Korean landscape painter and government official, also known by the art names Gyeomjae and Nangok. He is considered one of the most famous Korean painters and is known for pioneering the notion of realistic "true-view" landscape painting in Asia, marking a significant shift away from Chinese-inspired styles.
Before Jeong Seon, most Korean landscape artists based their paintings on Chinese murals. However, Jeong Seon did not want to merely copy Chinese artistic traditions. Instead, he aimed to focus on his country's culture and native beauty. Jeong Seon frequently left his studio to paint the world around him, capturing the geographical features of Korea in his artwork. This included the scenic beauty of the capital city of Hanyang (present-day Seoul), the Han River, the Sea of Japan, and Mt. Geumgang in the northeastern region of Korea.
Jeong Seon's paintings of Mt. Geumgangsan, also known as the Diamond Mountains, are particularly renowned. He painted this mountain at least 100 times, with around 100 of these works surviving to the present day. His most famous painting, titled "Geumgang jeondo" or "General View of Mt. Geumgangsan," is considered a national treasure of South Korea. This painting, created in 1734, is the largest of his works, measuring 130.7 cm in height and 94.1 cm in width. It depicts Naegeumgan, the Inner Mt. Geumgangsan, with its 12,000 peaks, including the highest peak, Birobong.
Jeong Seon's artistic style is characterised by his realistic portrayal of natural scenes, such as mountains and streams, using bold brushstrokes. He often employed multiple perspectives and utilised layers of ink wash and lines to create intermixed dark and light areas in his paintings. This style set him apart from the then-prevailing Chinese literati tradition of idealised and abstract landscape art. By developing his own unique approach, Jeong Seon inspired other Korean artists to embrace a style that celebrated the beauty of their own country, leaving a lasting impact on Korean art.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the painting translates to “General View of Mt. Geumgangsan" or "The Diamond Mountains".
The painting depicts Naegeumgan, the Inner Mt. Geumgangsan, and its 12,000 peaks.
The painting is 130.7 cm tall and 94.1 cm wide.
The painting was created using India ink.
The painting is currently held and managed by the Ho-Am Art Museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.











































