Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) was a renowned artist, calligraphist, and poet of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). She was also known as a wise mother, and in 2009, she became the face of the W50,000 banknote.
Shin Saimdang was born in Gangwon Province to a family of scholars. She received education at a time when women were discouraged from learning anything beyond hangul. Being a clever girl, she quickly learned to read and write Classical Chinese and displayed a talent for painting and calligraphy from a young age.
As a painter, Shin mostly painted landscapes and garden settings. She was known for her grapevine paintings in literati style and her Chochungdo paintings, which depicted flowers and insects on an eight-panel folding screen.
As a poet, Shin transcribed her poems into calligraphic Hanja art forms. Her two surviving poems about her parents expressed familial love.
Shin was also a “wise mother” to her seven children. She raised her daughters unassisted, not moving to her husband’s residence immediately after marriage. She also played a role in educating her eldest son, Yulgok Yi Yi, who grew into a respected Confucian scholar.
Seohyun Park Staff Reporter
1. Who was Shin Saimdang, and what were her notable achievements?
2. What were Shin Saimdang's preferred subjects for her paintings?
3. How did Shin Saimdang challenge societal norms regarding women's education?
1. How do you think Shin Saimdang's upbringing and access to education contributed to her success as an artist, calligraphist, and poet?
2. What impact do you think Shin Saimdang had on the cultural and artistic landscape of the Joseon Dynasty?
3. In what ways did Shin Saimdang's paintings and calligraphy reflect the literati style of her time? Can you provide examples?
4. How do you interpret the significance of Shin Saimdang's poems about her parents in expressing familial love?
Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) was a renowned artist, calligraphist, and poet of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). She was also known as a wise mother, and in 2009, she became the face of the W50,000 banknote.
