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Tiger and Magpie

Asian Art

MEDIUM Ink and color on paper
  • Place Made: Korea
  • DATES 19th century
    DYNASTY Joseon Dynasty
    DIMENSIONS Sheet: 62 1/2 x 22 3/8 in. (158.8 x 56.8 cm) Image: 34 1/4 x 16 1/2 in. (87 x 41.9 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1996.123.2
    CREDIT LINE Bequest of Mrs. Carl L. Selden
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Folk painting of a seated tiger with bulging green eyes. A magpie chatters at him from a pine tree in the upper right. Siberian tigers used to roam the entire Korean peninsula; their claws, teeth, whiskers were considered essential in certain Chinese and Korean folk medicine. In Korea, tiger bones were used to make liquor. These paintings were displayed at New Year's in the Yi Dynasty to protect the family against evil in the coming year. The tiger is the most powerful of the many evil-repelling animals in Korean mythology. In this type painting, the tiger sits on his haunches looking angry while the magpie chatters disapprovingly; a type of satirical humor suggesting commoners taunting corrupt and oppressive government officials. Also the magpie is the messenger of the Village Spirit and traditionally the bearer of good tidings. The tiger is the messenger of the Mountain Spirit. Orange linen mounting, wood roller ends. Wood storage box. Condition: Very minor soiling of paper along edges of painting. From Accession Card
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Tiger and Magpie, 19th century. Ink and color on paper, Sheet: 62 1/2 x 22 3/8 in. (158.8 x 56.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Mrs. Carl L. Selden, 1996.123.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.123.2_transp5470.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 1996.123.2_transp5470.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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