By the 17^th century in China, Guo’s reception had become a metaphor for auspicious birthday celebrations in general and was depicted in various media such as blue and white porcelain, embroidery and lacquer, conveying a wish for longevity, wealth, and rank. One such example is a 17th century set of twelve embroidered ‘Celebration Scene’ hanging scrolls, found at the Metropolitan Museum in New York (accession number 2019.445.1a-I).

As such, screen paintings illustrating similar themes delivered a didactic message and emphasised the Joseon admiration for and imitation of Ming imagery. Based on the Chinese prototypes, Joseon’s paintings of Guo Ziyi were newly composed in the style of court painting in splendid dark colours and were mainly produced as folding screens.

Kim Deuk-sin (1754-1822) was the son of a royal court painter, Kim Eungri (金印履), and followed in his father's footsteps. He entered royal service as a member of the Dohwaseo (圖畵署), the official painters of the Joseon court. His work showed the influence of Kim Hong-do(金弘道), and he excelled at landscape and genre paintings in particular. Scattered worldwide in major museums such as the Metropolitan Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art and National Palace Museum of Korea, there are around 47 screens of the same topic remaining today, but these are mostly painted by unknown artists. Only very few examples are signed and stamped - there is a similar screen depicting the banquet by Kim Deuk-sin at the National Museum of Korea (accession number Deoksu 1508).

Guo is depicted in the present work at the centre of a banquet held in his honour. He is seen enjoying a dance performance, surrounded by his large family in a palatial residence with flowering trees, cranes, deer, and birds. His sons and sons-in-law (八子七婿) standing by his sides are all dressed in official costumes, and his grandsons can be seen frolicking in front of him. Decorated with auspicious clouds, the painting also features cranes, deer, and pine trees, symbolising longevity, as well as peonies in full bloom, signifying wealth and prosperity. Screens like this would have been used at celebrations and given as congratulatory gifts to distinguished individuals and royal families.

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Auction Details

Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 November | 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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