Siege of Pyongyong (from the Imjin War scrolls)
Painting on paper or silk, likely part of a horizontal handscroll or commemorative screen • Joseon Court Painters or Military Academy artists (Dohwaseo)
Style & Movement
Joseon Dynasty documentary painting (Girokhwa)
Medium & Technique
Ink and mineral pigments on paper/silk; fine-line drawing (gongbi style) with wash coloring
Creation Period
Late 18th to mid-19th Century (Joseon Dynasty)
Dimensions & Format
Landscape format; typical of handscrolls (approx. 30-50 cm height) or folding screens
Subject Description
A battle scene from the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598), specifically depicting Korean and Ming Chinese allied forces recapturing a fortified city gate. Features soldiers using fire carts (hwacha), archers, and defensive wall structures with traditional dancheong roof painting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible abrasions, surface darkening, and mild creasing consistent with age and mechanical rolling
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $35,000
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $25,000
Provenance History
Likely commissioned by the Joseon court or a high-ranking military official to commemorate historical victories; later held in a private collection or institutional archive
Art Historical Significance
Crucial as a primary visual record of pre-modern Korean military technology (hwacha) and architecture; reflects the late Joseon resurgence of national identity and historical documentation
Notable Features
Detailed depiction of the Dancheong patterns on the gatehouse and the rare representation of rocket-propelled arrow launchers in a combat setting
Condition Issues
Pigment loss in the upper register, paper browning (oxidation), horizontal stress marks from use, and minor fading of red and green mineral pigments
Conservation Recommendations
Consolidation of flaking pigments, professional cleaning, and mounting in an acid-free environment with UV-filtered glass or storage in a temperature-controlled scroll box