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Asian Art Calendar of Events

Saturday, July 12, 2025


Exhibition Public - USA & Canada

Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared

National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution
1050 Independence Ave SW,
Washington, USA
Nov 08, 2025 To Feb 01, 2026


Detail: Collecting is a timeless passion—an enduring way to preserve memories, express one’s taste, and safeguard traditions for generations to come. Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared honors this practice by presenting a remarkable selection of masterpieces generously donated to the Korean nation by the family of Lee Kun-Hee, the late chairman of Samsung Group.

Spanning ancient times to the present, the works featured in this exhibition embody the depth and diversity of Korea’s artistic legacy. Once held in private, these treasures now belong to the public, reflecting the Lee family’s profound commitment to preserving Korea’s cultural heritage and making it accessible to all.

The objects on view were originally created for a range of settings, including royal palaces, Buddhist temples, Confucian academies, scholars’ studios, and modern art spaces. Together, the works trace the evolution of Korean innovation, revealing shifts in style, power, belief, and technology over time. In Korean Treasures, the voices of those who made, used, and collected paintings and objects are displayed through letters, inscriptions, and dedications—offering glimpses into their lives and insights into the meanings these objects held before and now.

Phone No.: 202.633.1000
Fax: 202.357.4911
Contact Email: publicaffairsasia@si.edu
Site URL: https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/exhibitions/korean-treasures-collected-cherished-shared/

Chaekgado (Scholar’s Accoutrements in a Bookcase) (detail)
Chaekgado (Scholar’s Accoutrements in a Bookcase) (detail)
Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century
six-panel folding screen, ink and mineral pigments on paper

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