Research on Animal Statues of the 40th Anniversary Monument Hall of Gojong’s Enthronement

Abstract

This paper will study the building background and significance of the 40th Anniversary Monument of Gojong’s Enthronement and will also consider the art historical meaning on the arrangement and the iconic feature of the animal statues which are adorning the exterior of the memorial royal palace.BR The 40th Anniversary Monument of Gojong’s Enthronement is a tombstone which have erected in 1902 at the southern Chamber of Elders(耆老所), to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the King Gojong(r.1863-1907), entering into the Chamber of Elders by going on sixty years old, changing the name of a country into “Daehan(大韓)” and using the title of Emperor.BR The King Gojong took pains to establish modern and autonomous state by organizing the system and adopting the modern civilization. Building the monument which was the biggest undertaking for commemorating is a great achievement under the rapidly changing situation and poor financial condition.BR The banister of the memorial royal palace which protecting the tombstone is adorned with Four Symbols, the Earthly Branches and Haechi(??). This example could be seen in the case of the stone steps of Geunjeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace, but it differs considerably in the principles of the arrangement. As for the stone steps, it could be interpreted by the Theory of I-Ching. As for the memorial royal palace, however, it could be seen that a different arrangement was applied; each animal had placed at all direction. It is assumed that it aims to extensively reach the king Gojong’s reign and edification into the whole nation and to announce that the Korean Empire is an autonomous state.BR Although the production date of the animal statues of the memorial royal palace is apparent and it is a great work by the nation, it shows an art of low standard comparing to the artwork of the early Joseon Dynasty. The formative features of icons showed a trend of simplification and formalization with technical regression in pictorial sculpture. This tendency was keeping with the rise and fall of the Korean Empire. The importance of this research includes how confused situation then has affected the artwork.