Danwon

Kim Hong-do
Korean name
Hangul	김홍도
Hanja	金弘道
Revised Romanization	Gim Hong-do
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Hongdo
Pen name
Hangul	단원, 단구, 서호, 고면거사, 취화사, or 첩취옹
Hanja	檀園, 丹邱, 西湖, 高眠居士, 醉畵士, or 輒醉翁
Revised Romanization	Danwon, Dan-gu, Seoho, Gomyeon-geosa, or Cheopchwiong
McCune–Reischauer	Tanwŏn, Tan'gu, Sŏho Komyŏn'gŏsa, or Ch'ŏpch'wiong
Courtesy name
Hangul	사능
Hanja	士能
Revised Romanization	Saneung
McCune–Reischauer	Sanŭng

Kim Hong-do (김홍도, b. 1745, d. 1806?-1814?), most often styled Danwon (단원), was a full-time painter of the Joseon period of Korea. He was together a pillar of the establishment and a key figure of the new trends of his time, the 'true view painting'. Kim Hong-do was an exceptional artist in every field of traditional painting, even if he is mostly remembered nowadays for his depictions of the everyday life of ordinary people, in a manner analogous to the Dutch Masters.

Danwon was a member of the Gimhae Kim clan. He grew up in present-day Ansan, South Korea. At the age of 7, Kim Hong-Do studied under the renowned master Pyoam Kang Se-hwang, who was then living in seclusion in Ansan. In 1766, at the age of 21, on the recommendation of Kang Sehwang, he entered the royal service as a member (hwawon) of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court. In 1771, he painted the portrait of the Royal Heir (the future King Jeongjo). In 1773, he assisted Byeon Sang-byeok when painting the Royal Portrait of King Yeongjo (1694–1724–1776).

In 1776, he painted the "Nineteen Taoist Immortals", that skyrocketed his reputation as a painter. At the same time, the new instated King Jeongjo (1752–1776–1800) commissioned him for many institutional paintings.

He died in loneliness and poverty, though the circumstances, and even the year are unknown. Sources are guessing 1806?, circa 1810, after 1814.

Danwon is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons," together with Hyewon and Owon. He is also often joined to Owon and the 15th-century painter An Gyeon as one of Joseon's three greatest painters.

The city of Ansan, where he spent his youth and learned his craft, has memorialized him in many ways. The district of Danwon-gu is named after him, as is Ansan's annual "Danwon Art Festival." Many public places have been designed in imitation of his works.

Various sources have various opinions about what could be a 'top ten' list for Kim Hong-do. The most important fact is how successful was Kim Hong-do in all the various types of paintings.

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Wikipedia