Aesthetic Characteristics of Face in the Late Joseon-dynasty's Beauty Paintings

Abstract

: This study identified the aesthetic characteristics of the face description in late Joseon Dynasty beauty paintings. A total of 24 beauty paintings were selected as representative of the late Joseon Dynasty genre of painting works. The paintings were analyzed by the shape, color, and physiognomy of beauty trends from the components of women's faces expressed in the works of artists. The results of this study showed that the shape of the face components expressed a round, curved and thin line. Colors were expressed through Obang-sack (a traditional Korean color). Also the physiognomy of the late Joseon Dynasty's women was soft, wise, economical and brilliant. A round-forehead meant that economical and virtuous housekeeper, thin crescent shaped eyebrows denoted women of wisdom and excellent sensitivity. Single long thin eyelids and implied a women of longevity. A round curved nose were eager tobe a wise mother and a good wife. Small concave lips were desired eagerly by gentle and intelligent women. A curve face implied a subjective women of insight and good memory. In conclusion, the late Joseon Dynasty beauty paintings expressed a traditional Korean beauty face and a modern baby face. The data are useful for the aesthetic standards of modern through meaning of Korean traditional beauty.

A Symbol of Healing with Feminine Vitality: The Willow

“…Women whose lives are dependent on men were called 'flower willows.' In various paintings depicting beautiful women, weeping willows are often present in the background (Lee et al, 2012). This may be because the waists of beautiful women were often compared to thin willow branches and also because the weeping willow and slender women fit nicely into a picture together.…”

How Did the Beauties of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) of Korea Look?

“…Relatively few paintings of young women were created in the Joseon dynasty. In an analysis of 24 paintings of Joseon beauties, Lee and Ku wrote that beauties had the following facial compositions: a round-forehead, thin crescent-shaped eyebrows (a sign of wisdom and sensitivity), single long thin eyelids (longevity), a round curved nose (as a symbol of being a wise mother or good wife), small concave lips (a sign of gentleness and intelligence), and a round face (as an indicator of insight and good memory) 2 …”

“…In an analysis of 24 paintings of Joseon beauties, Lee and Ku wrote that beauties had the following facial compositions: a roundforehead, thin crescent-shaped eyebrows (a sign of wisdom and sensitivity), single long thin eyelids (longevity), a round curved nose (as a symbol of being a wise mother or good wife), small concave lips (a sign of gentleness and intelligence), and a round face (as an indicator of insight and good memory). 2 Comparing the shape of eyebrows in the Joseon dynasty to those in present Korea, different preferences are noted. Although the preferred eyebrow shape of the Joseon dynasty was thin and rounded, the preference of present Koreans is for eyebrows to be relatively thick with a specific shape: a prior study found that the "Anastasia type" (brow starts on a perpendicular line drawn from the middle of the nostril, arches on a line drawn from the center of the nose through the center of the pupil, and ends on a line drawn from the edge of the corresponding nasal ala through the outer edge of the eye) was the most preferred.…”