Gathering of Immortals

painting by Kim Hong-doThis painting by Korean artist Kim Hong-do, also known as Danwon, was designated as the 139th National Treasure of South Korea in 1971. Danwon completed the painting when he was 31, during the second half of the Joseon Era.

It was originally a folding screen with 8 panels but only 3 now remain. It includes Taoist Hermits, Lao-tzu (the founder of Taoism) and a number of children. The fine character portrayals done by Kim Hongdo inspired later portrait painters Kim Deoksin and Yi Myeonggi.