Sayart.net - Yi Am: The Early Joseon Painter Who Redefined Animal Art

Yi Am (Korean: 이암; Hanja: 李巖, c. 1499 or 1507–1566) was a court painter during the early to mid-Joseon Dynasty, whose influence on Korean and East Asian art remains profound. Yi Am’s works, particularly his bird-and-flower and animal paintings, are celebrated for their unique depiction of animals, especially dogs. His distinctive technique of using ink washes instead of traditional outlines to represent animals has had a lasting impact on the yeongmohwa (翎毛畵, animal painting) tradition of Korea.

As a member of the royal family, Yi Am had access to the royal court’s animals, such as pedigree hounds and hawks, which allowed him to observe and paint them with remarkable accuracy. His background also afforded him access to Southern Song paintings, which heavily influenced his style. Yi's ability to blend detailed observation with a softer, more fluid painting technique is what sets his work apart. His influence stretched beyond Korea, as his methods were thought to have inspired Japanese painter Tawaraya Sōtatsu, whose paintings of puppies became an early example of the tarashikomi technique, foundational to the Rinpa school in Japan.

Yi Am's most famous works, including Mother Dog (모견도) and Flower, Bird, and Dog (화조구자도), exemplify his delicate touch and mastery of composition. These pieces focus on natural harmony and familial love, qualities that deeply resonated with later Korean artists like Byeon Sang-byeok and Kim Sik. His paintings often portrayed animals interacting with each other in tranquil environments, capturing both their physical likeness and emotional qualities.

In Mother Dog, Yi Am employs the molgolbeop (沒骨法) technique, using subtle gradients of ink and color to depict a mother dog tenderly surrounded by her puppies. The absence of hard outlines gives the painting a sense of softness and fluidity, bringing the animals to life. This method of creating depth through tone, rather than line, was groundbreaking and became a hallmark of Yi Am’s style. His ability to convey warmth and innocence through simple yet expressive compositions was a key factor in the popularity of his works.

Yi Am was not only known for his animal paintings but was also a skilled portrait artist. In 1545, he was invited to paint a posthumous portrait of King Jungjong of Joseon, cementing his reputation as one of the era’s most accomplished court painters. His inclusion in historical texts like Paegwan Japgi as one of the five most famous literati painters of his time further illustrates the high regard in which he was held.

Yi Am's works played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Joseon's animal painting. His fluid, naturalistic style set a precedent that later artists would follow, and his focus on animals, particularly dogs, had an enduring influence on Korean art. In recognition of his contributions, his painting Flowers, Birds, and Puppies (화조구자도), was designated a National Treasure of South Korea in 2003, underscoring its cultural and historical significance.

Yi’s legacy also extended to Japan, where his innovative use of ink washes is thought to have inspired elements of the Rinpa school. The similarities between Yi’s technique and the tarashikomi method, which involves allowing pigments to bleed together on paper, suggest that his influence crossed national borders, shaping artistic traditions across East Asia.

While much of Yi Am's life remains shrouded in mystery, what is known is that his contributions to Korean painting, particularly in the realm of animal art, have left an indelible mark. His ability to merge detailed realism with expressive emotion not only reflected his deep connection to nature but also established a new visual language in Korean art that would influence generations to come.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com