Is Composition under copyright?

Yes, this artwork is still under copyright.

What is the thematic context of Composition?

western & korean fusion, hanji material exploration, post-war abstract impulse, korean identity quest, experimentation with medium, bridging east & west art, early collage pioneer, reflecting societal change

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Quick Facts

Year: 1970
Subject or theme: Organic forms and harmonious unity
Medium: Cotton wool, hanji, and paint
Notable elements or techniques: Collage, textured surface, layered materials
Movement: Abstract Expressionism
Artistic style: Expressionist abstraction

Artwork Description

A Symphony of Texture and Tradition

In the evocative masterpiece Composition, created in 1970, the legendary Korean artist Lee Ungno (Yi Eungro) achieves a breathtaking synthesis of Eastern materiality and Western abstraction. This vertical work serves as a profound testament to the artist's lifelong quest to modernize traditional Korean aesthetics through a global lens. At first glance, the viewer is swept into a dense, rhythmic dance of ochre, gold, and amber tones that seem to pulse with an internal, primal energy. The painting does not merely sit upon the canvas; it breathes through a complex layering of textures that challenge the very boundaries between painting and collage.

Lee Ungno’s technical brilliance in this period lies in his revolutionary use of hanji—traditional Korean mulberry paper—as a foundational element. By integrating cotton wool and other tactile materials, he moved beyond the mere application of pigment to create a sculptural surface. The technique involves tearing, reassembling, and painting over fragments of medium, a process that mirrors the fragmented yet unified nature of memory and history. This method allows the artist to achieve an aesthetically harmonious unity, where the "alien" elements of the collage are absorbed into a singular, cohesive whole, contrasting sharply with the more analytical approach found in Western collage traditions.

The Emotional Resonance of Abstract Form

The visual language of Composition is one of controlled chaos. There is no singular focal point to anchor the eye; instead, the viewer’s gaze wanders through a labyrinth of overlapping organic shapes and thick, irregular lines. Subtle traces of darker blue delineate certain forms, providing a necessary tension against the overwhelming warmth of the palette. This lack of a traditional subject matter invites a deeply personal, subjective interpretation. To the collector or interior designer, the piece offers a sense of dynamic movement and dreamlike introspection, making it an ideal centerpiece for spaces that require a sophisticated yet emotionally charged atmosphere.

Beyond its formal qualities, the work carries a profound historical weight. Having navigated the complexities of life in both Seoul and Paris, Lee Ungno utilized this composition to bridge two worlds. The piece evokes a sense of ancient landscapes reimagined through the lens of mid-century expressionism. It is an art of layers—both physical and metaphorical—where the soft texture of cotton wool meets the ruggedness of heavy brushstrokes. For those seeking to adorn a collection with a piece that embodies resilience, innovation, and the beautiful tension between tradition and modernity, this reproduction of Composition offers an unparalleled opportunity to possess a fragment of art history's most transformative era.

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Artist Biography

early life and training

lee ungno, also known as yi eungro, was a korean-born french painter and printmaker born in séoul, south korea in 1904. his early life was marked by a brief stint at the hongseong botong hakyo (홍성보통학교, 홍城초등학교, 洪城普通學校), after which he dedicated himself to studying painting under yeomjae song tae-hoe from 1920.

artistic career in korea and japan

lee ungno's artistic career began in earnest when he moved to seoul in 1922, becoming an apprentice to celebrated calligrapher-painter-photographer haegang kim gyu-jin. he primarily learned to paint the four gentlemen in the 'haegang style.' notably, his inkwash painting of a bamboo, mukjuk (묵죽, 墨竹, ink bamboo), won a prize in the 3rd annual joseon art exhibition. lee ungno consecutively won prizes in the joseon art exhibition throughout the colonial period. however, he believed that eastern ink painters should modernize their style. in the early 1930s, lee began producing inkwash landscapes influenced by new, modern eastern ink painting styles and naturalistic renditions found in western-style paintings.

international recognition and later life

after training in traditional inkwash painting in korea from the 1920s to the 1930s, lee gradually experimented with western-style painting techniques in japan. his works from the 1950s showcase creative attempts at merging eastern medium and brushstrokes with western perspective and forms. lee ungno relocated to france in 1958, where he fully established his standing as an abstract artist. he is most known for his series of ink and paper collage, abstract letters, and crowd paintings that developed during his stay in france.

view yi eungro's artworks on WahooArt: [https://WahooArt.com/@/yi-eungro](https://WahooArt.com/@/yi-eungro)
explore the musée national jean-jacques henner, a museum featuring a vast collection of art pieces, including those inspired by eastern styles: [https://WahooArt.com/@@/a@d3cew9-il-museo-musee-national-jean-jacques-henner-di-parigi-francia](https://WahooArt.com/@@/a@d3cew9-il-museo-musee-national-jean-jacques-henner-di-parigi-francia)
discover more about the ilkhanid art movement, which also blends eastern and western influences: [https://WahooArt.com/art.nsf/o/a@d3cq2m](https://WahooArt.com/art.nsf/o/a@d3cq2m)

**legacy** lee ungno is credited for forming part of the first generation of korean abstract artists and contributing to the diversification in the use of eastern material in modern and contemporary art. the lee ungno museum, opened in 2007 in daejeon, south korea, preserves, displays, and promotes artworks and materials related to the artist. **sources:** * [https://WahooArt.com/@/yi-eungro](https://WahooArt.com/@/yi-eungro) * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yi_eungro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yi_eungro)

yi eungro

1904 - 1989 , South Korea

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Eastern & Western Expressionism
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Haegang Style']
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Yeomjae Song Tae-hoe']
Date Of Birth: January 12, 1904
Date Of Death: January 10, 1989
Full Name: Yi Eungro (Lee Ungno)
Nationality: Korean-French
Notable Artworks: ['Composition']
Place Of Birth: Seoul, South Korea

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early life and training

artistic career in korea and japan

international recognition and later life