Ch'oe Puk

Ch'oe Puk (Korean: 최북; fl. 1712–1760), was a Korean painter of the late Joseon period. He used many art names including Samgijae, Hosaenggwan, Songjae, Kiam, and Kŏgijae.

Hangul

최북

Hanja

崔北

RRChoe Buk

MRCh'oe Puk

Quick facts Korean name, Hangul ...

Korean name
Ch'oe Puk

Hangul	최북
Hanja	崔北
RR	Choe Buk
MR	Ch'oe Puk
Art name
Hangul	호생관, 삼기재, 거기재
Hanja	毫生館, 三奇齋, 居其齋
RR	Hosaenggwan, Samgijae, Geogijae
MR	Hosaenggwan, Samgijae, Kŏgijae
Courtesy name
Hangul	성기, 유용
Hanja	聖器, 有用
RR	Seonggi, Yuyong
MR	Sŏnggi, Yuyong

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Biography

His childhood remains unknown, as well as the social status of his family. The Grove says 'floruit c. 1755–85'.^[1]

He was known as a skilled landscape painter, but also drew portraits, flowers and animals. Legend tells of a powerful aristocrat that forced him to draw, but Ch'oe refused to do so and as a result had one eye pierced, leading to the loss sight in that eye.^[2]

He was known to have traveled in Japan and was known to Zheng Zhilong's family; painting an image of Zheng's wife and their son Koxinga. The original returned to Korea with Ch'oe, but a copy was kept with the family and was later emulated by Pak Chega.^[3]

His living situation became increasingly difficult, so he made a living by wandering around town and selling paintings. On the spot, he drew pictures at the request of others and received money for them, but the price was not set. When a requester offered Ch'oe a small amount of money for one of his fine works, he would become so angry that he would scream and tear up the painting.

However, to those who were willing to pay a lot of money for his low-quality works, Ch'oe mocked them and ordered them to take them immediately, saying: “That fool doesn’t even know the value of paintings."^[4]

Style and Galleries

Ch'oe Puk engraved his name and pen name in the center of the painting.^[4] He was acquainted with Kim Hong-do, Kim Tŭksin, Yi In-mun, but his works are dissimilar to theirs.