Amorepacific Project for the Conservation of Korean Pictorial Art

The collection of Korean paintings at the British Museum includes a wide variety of material from drawings on paper through to silk paintings on folding screens. This project seeks to conserve works that need treatment using knowledge acquired from both Korean and European conservation techniques. 

While related and similar in many respects to Japanese and Chinese art, traditional Korean painting and mounting techniques differ. They have unique styles, mounting elements and types of paper and silk, and they also use their own techniques. These are all intrinsically related to the use of screens and scrolls in Korean temples, houses and palaces. However, often it is the better-known techniques from Japanese and Chinese art that have been used to preserve Korean paintings before they came to the Museum. 

So far, the project has conducted fieldwork research to support treatment decision making and the sourcing of appropriate materials. The project conservator has worked in local Korean studios with expert scroll mounters, dyers and artisan box and metal fittings makers. Korean specialists have also come to the Museum to share their expertise and knowledge of the Korean techniques required to care for the paintings. The Museum's Department of Scientific Research has conducted further research into the natural dyes used in some silk elements of the conserved paintings.

The project aims to apply appropriate approaches to conserving Korean paintings in the Museum collection to support their interpretation and use. This has been achieved by:

• Surveying the collection to identify paintings requiring conservation treatment.
• Collaborating with Korean, Chinese and Japanese colleagues to determine mounting methodologies and appropriate treatments for conservation.
• Sourcing appropriate Korean materials for use at the British Museum's Hirayama Studio.
• Hosting knowledge exchange workshops for Korean expert specialists and the project conservator at the Hirayama Studio and international locations to support conservation.
• Sharing findings and outcomes through events and publications, including a project symposium in 2022.
• Organising a six-month display of fragile objects conserved as part of the project in the British Museum's Korean Gallery from July 2022.

This project has studied and conserved a number of Korean paintings in the British Museum collection, including handscrolls and multi-panel screens. Their conservation and remounting, which involved the Museum team and visiting Korean scroll mounters, has made it possible to display the paintings for the first time since their acquisition and will allow their safe study in the future.

Research on the material composition of the paintings involved scientific investigation, study trips and two meetings of experts at the Museum. This has allowed the use of appropriate mounting materials and techniques and has resulted in improved knowledge of historical mounting methods for Korean paintings.

Mounting materials such as hanji (traditional Korean mulberry paper); silk, hemp and ramie fabrics; and wooden panel components were sourced in South Korea. Research into historical textile dyeing and scroll box-making has included interviews with traditional makers to capture authentic Korean methods. An online symposium on the project outcomes, a display of conserved paintings in the Museum's Korean Gallery, a video, journal articles, talks and social media postings have enriched the understanding of authentic Korean scroll mounting among the public and experts alike. 

Project supporter

Supported by