Gansong museum, the first modern private museum of Korea holds many top-rated rarest antique pieces of art such as A portrait of a beauty, Hunmin jeongeum (No. 70 National Treasure), Donggukjeongun Book 1, 2 (No. 71 National Treasure), Geumdong gyemimyeong samjonbul (No. 72 National Treasure), and Hyewon pungsokdo.
Gansong museum was founded by Jeon Hyeongpil (전형필 全鎣弼), an educationist and an art collector in 1938. The museum was named after the pen name of him. He is famous for his great achievement to collect 12 national treasures, 10 treasures and 4 cultural assets designated by Seoul metropolitan government. He strove to bring back Korean cultural assets and heritage from Japan since many Korean antiquities were taken by Japanese collectors during colonial rule of Japan in early 20th century.
The museum also holds Goryeo porcelain, one of the most valuable cultural assets of Korea during the reign of Goryeo since 12th century. A great deal of porcelains were easy to be brought abroad without specific control on assets one time. In this regard, Jeon tried to find out some pieces which had been brought out of Korean peninsula. From his own work through the institute, a British lawyer got on the list. It was John Gatsby who possessd two pieces of Goryeo porcelains at the moment. In fact, the deal was beyond reach since the price of the two was way too expensive than Jeon suggested. In the meantime, John finally agreed to give the pieces back to the homeland after finding out Jeon's work to save Korean artistic figures.
During Korean war, North Korean authorities harshly tried to steal all the assets of Gansong museum. From this kind of threat, he could not leave Seoul even for a while. The tactic brought his colleagues and friends to protect cultural relics amid the conflicts since the control over the capital area had gone through some changes. Jeon also didn't leave Seoul amid bombrade.
The museum only opens its doors to the public for two weeks in May and October during the exhibition period and has done so every year since its opening in October 1971.
Nestled in a tranquil neighborhood, the Gansong Art Museum is accessible by public transportation. Take the Seoul subway line number 4 and get off at the Hansung University Station (Exit 6). Transfer to Bus 1111 or 2112 and get off at the Seongbuk Elementary School (4 stops away).
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Some rare collections in Gansong museum:
Goryeo celadon
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A portrait of a beauty
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Jusa geobae (주사거배 酒肆擧盃) [I]Holding a drinking party[/I] from Hyewon pungsokdo drawn by Hyewon
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Hunminjeongeum
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Paseokdo by Kim Deuksin
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