Changes in Painting Style and Formality of the Mural Painting of Goguryeo Ancient Tombs

Goguryeo tomb murals, significant visual records of early Korean art history, exhibit marked changes in painting style and formality across three distinct periods. Initially, scale and content dominated over artistic quality, as seen in Anak 3ho Tomb. However, during the middle period, smaller-scale tombs like Geumjangsong and Muongsong demonstrated advanced artistic techniques, featuring more realistic and detailed depictions of figures and scenes. The late period, exemplified by Gangseodaemyeo, reflects a shift in subject matter due to the adoption of Taoism, while achieving the highest overall artistic completion among Goguryeo tomb murals. This study analyzes these stylistic and formal changes through a comparative approach, highlighting the evolution of mural painting techniques and themes over time.

Lee, M. (2025). Changes in Painting Style and Formality of the Mural Painting of Goguryeo Ancient Tombs. The Korea Journal of Donghak Studies, 73, 597–622. https://doi.org/10.46639/kjds.2025.73.17