A section showing the king's procession with his grand palanquin and guards of honor, The rank-positioning procession painting (bancha-do) from the Uigwe for the King Yeongjo's Wedding Ceremony, 1759; cropped.
Thursday, November 10, 201611:00 AM - 1:00 PM275 Dodd HallUCLA
The ways in which uigwe books were compiled did not vary much over time, as the making of official records was strictly regulated by the rules of the court. Looking at a spectrum of different uigwe books produced from the early to late periods of Joseon dynasty, however, those produced under the commands of King Yeongjo (r. 1725-1776) and King Jeongjo (r. 1777-1800) are clearly distinguishable in their content and the process of compilation. Instead of simply following the centuries-old tradition, the two kings efficiently used the power of images in uigwe not only to heighten their authority but also to facilitate smoother preparation of subsequent court rites.
More specifically, King Yeongjo attempted to reinforce his administrative achievements to the future generations by inserting the changes or creations of the rites in the uigwe books. King Jeongjo recognized the potential impact of uigwe illustrations, and thus made the books easier to understand to the readers. At the same time, he strived to continue the fundamental goals of uigwe: accurate documentation and permanent conservation of the ritual protocols.
In this presentation, Professor Park will focus on the novel characteristics of uigwe books and illustrations produced under two of the most extraordinary kings of Joseon Dynasty in the 18th century.
Cost : Free and open to the public.
Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies