Ahn Joong Sik

Ahn Joong-sik (1861–1919), widely known by his pen name Simjeon, was a pivotal figure in modern Korean art, serving as one of the last court painters of the Joseon Dynasty while playing a critical role in the transition into modern painting. Ahn bridged traditional East Asian landscape styles with early modernist techniques. He is celebrated for his masterful ink-and-color works, such as Seongjaesugan (Hymne parmi les arbres) and General Yi Sun-sin on Hansan Island. In 1918, a year before his death, he founded the Association of Paintings and Writings Artists to foster and promote modern art education in Korea. His work is preserved in institutions like the Asian Art Museum and the Gangsong Art Museum, and is frequently featured on platforms like Google Arts & Culture.