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      Exhibition

      Korean Art

      On view May 17, 2025

      Today's hours:

      10 am–5 pm

      Monday

      10 am–5 pm

      Tuesday

      Closed

      Wednesday

      Closed

      Thursday

      10 am–5 pm

      Friday

      10 am–5 pm

      Saturday

      10 am–5 pm

      Sunday

      10 am–5 pm

      Monday

      10 am–5 pm

      Tuesday

      Closed

      Wednesday

      Closed

      Thursday

      10 am–5 pm

      Friday

      10 am–5 pm

      Saturday

      10 am–5 pm

      Sunday

      10 am–5 pm

      Explore one of the nation’s earliest and most historically significant museum collections of Korean art and culture.

      From the late Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) to today, PEM’s exceptional collection explores art, culture, and life in Korea during a time of significant transition and global connection.

      PEM’s early Korean collection was primarily formed by Edward Sylvester Morse, director of the Peabody Academy of Science (a predecessor organization to PEM), who proactively pursued Korean acquisitions during his tenure from 1880 to 1914. Among his most significant acquisitions from this period is a set of eight Korean musical instruments played at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

      PEM’s connection with Korea was also strengthened by Yu Kil-Chun (1856-1914), the reformist scholar and politician who came to the U.S. as a member of the first Korean delegation and lived near Salem for nearly two years. Yu Kil-Chun and other early travelers between the U.S. and Korea donated many meaningful and foundational works to the museum’s collection.

      PEM’s Yu Kil-Chun Korean Art Gallery brings to life the compelling stories of these early pioneers, presented alongside the museum’s renowned Korean textile collection, exquisite 19th-century paintings — including the Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan screen — and inspiring contemporary works by Nam June Paik (1932–2006) and other Korean and Korean American artists.

      Follow along on social media using #PEMKoreanArt

      The Yu Kil-Chun Gallery of Korean Art and Culture has been made possible with the support of the Korea Foundation. Generous support is also provided by the National Museum of Korea; Samsung Foundation of Culture, Korea; the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation; the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation; the Henry Luce Foundation; Helen H. Kim and Colin A. Warwick; the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C.; the Korean Cultural Society of Boston; the Council of Korean Americans, Boston; the Korean American Citizens League of New England; the Korean American community of New England; an anonymous donor; Linda Champion; Mrs. Yu Suk Hee; and other generous donors.

      ABOVE IMAGE: Artists in Korea, Hwarot (bridal robe) (detail), 1700s or 1800s. Silk, paper, and cotton. Gift of Yamanaka and Company, 1927. E20190.F. Peabody Essex Museum.
      Artist in Korea, Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan (detail), early 1800s. Ink and color on silk. Museum purchase, made possible in part by W.C. Endicott and George A. Peabody, 1927. E20262.A-H. Peabody Essex Museum. © Samsung Foundation of Cul

      Artist in Korea, Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan (detail), early 1800s. Ink and color on silk. Museum purchase, made possible in part by W.C. Endicott and George A. Peabody, 1927. E20262.A-H. Peabody Essex Museum. © Samsung Foundation of Culture. Courtesy of the Leeum Museum of Art. Photo by Kim Hyunsoo, K2 STUDIO.

      Artist in Korea, Jojokdeung (foot illuminating lantern), before 1885. Paper, wood, and metal. Gift of Percival Lowell, 1885. E1463. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Jeffrey R. Dykes/PEM.

      Artist in Korea, Jojokdeung (foot illuminating lantern), before 1885. Paper, wood, and metal. Gift of Percival Lowell, 1885. E1463. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Jeffrey R. Dykes/PEM.

      A. B. Cross Photography Studio, Salem, Mass. Portrait of Yu Kil-Chun, 1883–84. Albumen print. PHA 184, box 1, folder 4, item 8. Gift of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1923. Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum.

      A. B. Cross Photography Studio, Salem, Mass. Portrait of Yu Kil-Chun, 1883–84. Albumen print. PHA 184, box 1, folder 4, item 8. Gift of Edward Sylvester Morse, 1923. Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum.

      Artist in Korea, Sewing dish (detail), 1800s. Paper, lacquer, and mother-of-pearl. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 1998. E300229. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Dennis Helmar.

      Artist in Korea, Sewing dish (detail), 1800s. Paper, lacquer, and mother-of-pearl. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 1998. E300229. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Dennis Helmar.

      Taylor’s Photography Studio, Washington, D.C., Family Portrait of Yi Beomjin , 1896–1899. Albumen print. Edwin Vernon Morgan Journals, MSS 281, oversize box 3, folder 3, item 1. Gift of Thomas P. Beal, Jr. and Judith Beal Nadai, in honor of Edwin V. Morga

      Taylor’s Photography Studio, Washington, D.C., Family Portrait of Yi Beomjin , 1896–1899. Albumen print. Edwin Vernon Morgan Journals, MSS 281, oversize box 3, folder 3, item 1. Gift of Thomas P. Beal, Jr. and Judith Beal Nadai, in honor of Edwin V. Morgan, former Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Korea, 2024.

      Artist in Korea, Bandaji (front-dropping chest), early 1900s. Zelkovas tree and brass. Gift of Cynthia M. Nadai, in memory and honor of Edwin Morgan. 2023.29.2. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.

      Artist in Korea, Bandaji (front-dropping chest), early 1900s. Zelkovas tree and brass. Gift of Cynthia M. Nadai, in memory and honor of Edwin Morgan. 2023.29.2. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.

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      Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 2-4 pm

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