celebrates the artistic achievements of the Joseon dynasty, a line of twenty-seven monarchs that ruled the Korean peninsula for more than five hundred years and left a substantial legacy for modern Korea. A variety of objects—including painted screens, scrolls, calligraphy, furnishings, costumes, accessories, and ritual wares used in ancestral rites and Buddhist worship—explore the roles of king and court, the distinct spheres of men and women in society, and religious beliefs, all underpinned by the ideals of Confucianism. This is the first full-scale American exhibition to be devoted to art of the Joseon dynasty.
Comprised of more than 150 works drawn primarily from the National Museum of Korea’s collection and supplemented by objects from public and private collections,
presents American audiences with a rare opportunity to see some of Korea’s artistic masterpieces, including a number designated as national treasures. The exhibition includes interactive displays of select objects, a free audio tour, and a family guide. In addition, a broad range of programs such as film screenings, family celebrations, performances, lectures, and dining events are offered throughout the run of the exhibition.
Organizer
The exhibition is organized by the National Museum of Korea, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Treasures from Korea represents one of two international exhibitions that are part of a collaborative exchange between the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the National Museum of Korea (NMK), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), and the Terra Foundation for American Art. In early 2013,
Art Across America, featuring some of the finest examples of American art drawn from the collections of the four US museums, traveled to the NMK in Seoul and the Daejeon Museum of Art. In addition to the Philadelphia Museum of Art,
Treasures from Korea will be on view at LACMA (June 29–September 28, 2014) and MFAH (November 2, 2014–January 11, 2015).
Sponsors
National Tour
This exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and the Korea Foundation. Transportation assistance is provided by Korean Air.
Philadelphia Presentation

     
In Philadelphia, the exhibition is presented by The Exelon Foundation and PECO. Additional support is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Kathleen C. and John J. F. Sherrerd Fund for Exhibitions, the James and Agnes Kim Foundation, Sueyun and Gene Locks, Maxine S. and Howard H. Lewis, Dr. Sankey V. Williams and Constance H. Williams, Frank S. Bayley, Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky, Dr. Young Yang Chung through the Seol Won Foundation US, Maude de Schauensee, Dr. Bong S. Lee and Dr. Mi W. Lee, James and Susan Pagliaro, and other generous individuals. The accompanying publication is supported in part by The Andrew W. Mellon Fund for Scholarly Publications.

     

     
Promotional support is provided by H MART, The Korea Times Philadelphia, and the Korea Tourism Organization, New York.
Curator
Hyunsoo Woo, The Maxine and Howard Lewis Associate Curator of Korean Art
Location
Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, first floor