Munja-Chaekgeori Screen (Character-Books Screen)
Unknown Artist
early 1900s
Medium
Eight-panel folding screen, ink on paper
Dimensions
150.5 × 330.2 cm · painting only: 85.1 × 27.3 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Korean Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Accession Number
2017.6
About this artwork
This folding screen is a whimsical harmony of two different subjects: chaekgeori, or books and things; and munja, or characters. The lower section of each panel depicts the imagery of things, including books, decorative arts, and utilitarian objects. The upper portion of each panel bears a classical Chinese character. Read from far right to left, the eight characters refer to the values of Confucian teachings of the Joseon dynasty: filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, trust, propriety, righteo...