In this work, Yun Suknam depicts Heo Nanseolheon (1563–
1589), a well-known female poet during the Joseon dynasty
(1392–1910). She is depicted alongside a contemporary
female figure—possibly the artist herself—reaching out to
Heo with an extended arm. As Yun points out in her artist’s
statement nearby, women in traditional Korean society were
seldom depicted in portrait paintings. This contemporary
portrait of two women from different periods contains
several motifs derived from Heo’s writings. The long
handscroll filled with text represents Heo’s literary world
along with the lotus flowers, a favored motif in Heo’s poems.
Lotus plants that grow in mud yet eventually produce
beautiful blooms symbolize both Heo’s deep sorrow and
enduring beauty. Heo’s poems often reflect her mourning for
her unhappy marriage as well as the death of her two
children and beloved brother. Not only did she write about
her personal life but she also revealed her profound
knowledge of classics, which at the time were almost
exclusively studied by noblemen.
Enlarge Image