A Complete Collection of Goryeo Paintings Makes Its Debut at Zhejiang University

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea, Zhejiang University and the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies teamed up with each other to produce A Complete Collection of Goryeo Paintings in four languages, including Chinese, English, Korean and Japanese. The book made its first appearance at Zhejiang University on December 11.

Present at the unveiling ceremony were ZHANG Xi, Chairman of the Development Committee of Zhejiang University, REN Shaobo, Executive Vice President of Zhejiang University and PARK In-kook, President of the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies.

There are currently 160-plus paintings during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) available all over the world. This collection includes 33 works—all the known works which can be found outside Korea and Japan, so to speak—from 19 museums in the USA, Germany, France, the UK and Italy.

This collection will help you gain a better understanding of the evolution of paintings during this particular period on the Korean Peninsula, said REN Shaobo in his welcoming address. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies and other participating scholars for their contributions to this top-notch and high-resolution collection.

Mr. PARK In-kook expressed his pride in witnessing the unveiling of this collection as a major partner. “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea. I look forward to mutual benefits in various aspects. The publication of this collection symbolizes a beginning of deeper cooperation with Zhejiang University,” said he.

As early as 2005, Zhejiang University cooperated with Zhejiang Bureau of Cultural Heritage in compiling A Complete Collection of Song Paintings. President XI Jinping, then Secretary of the CPC Committee of Zhejiang Province, approved and endorsed this project. With the immense success of A Complete Collection of Song Paintings, A Complete Collection of Yuan Paintings and Major Schools of Paintings in China have developed into a grandiose state-level cultural project.

This collection is not only the epitome of international cooperation intellectually, financially and culturally, but also the integration of research into Goryeo paintings in global academia.