A Heart for Sharing Beauty: Newly Donated Artifacts 2 at National Museum of Korea

Introducing the exhibition A Heart for Sharing Beauty. Held in Donation Hall 4 on the second floor of the Permanent Exhibition Hall at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, A Heart for Sharing Beauty: Newly Donated Artifacts 2 (아름다움을 나누는 마음-새로 맞이한 기증유물전 2) presents a curated selection of recently donated Korean cultural heritage.

Organized under the curatorial theme ‘The Hearts of Calligraphers and Donors Shared Through Writing’, this special calligraphy presentation honors the generous spirit of donors while introducing 13 designated calligraphy treasures across four newly received donations. Visitors can appreciate historic masterpieces free of charge, from cursive brushwork by Joseon master Hwang Gi-ro to a regular script folding screen by independence leader Kim Gu and seal script calligraphy by modern master Lee Gi-woo.

A Heart for Sharing Beauty Visitor Information

• Exhibition Title: A Heart for Sharing Beauty: Newly Donated Artifacts 2 (아름다움을 나누는 마음-새로 맞이한 기증유물전 2)
• Exhibition Period: July 27, 2026 – November 15, 2026
• Venue: National Museum of Korea, Permanent Exhibition Hall 2F, Donation Hall 4 (Room 205), 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Admission: Free
• Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday and Saturday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
• Closed Days: January 1, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), and Chuseok Day
• Exhibited Items: 13 calligraphy artifacts across 4 donations
• Featured Masters: Hwang Gi-ro, Kim Gu, Lee Gi-woo

Honoring Donors Through Shared Cultural Treasures

The National Museum of Korea established these thematic showcases within the Permanent Exhibition Hall to share newly acquired cultural heritage with the broader public. Following the first edition held from April through July 2026, this second calligraphy showcase honors donors’ contributions while unveiling newly received artifacts.

Centering on the emotional bonds formed between master calligraphers and their recipients, the exhibition brings together works gifted across generations—from 16th-century Joseon cursive writing to modern 20th-century national liberation commemorations. Each piece reflects both artistic virtuosity and the enduring care of the collectors who preserved and donated them.

Three Calligraphy Highlights to Observe in the Gallery

Visitors to the gallery can appreciate three distinct calligraphic traditions and masterworks:

• Hwang Gi-ro’s Cursive Script: The Joseon master calligrapher’s work Respectfully Rhyming a Poem (공경히 차운하다) showcases the kinetic flow of brushstrokes and the sculptural freedom unique to cursive script (choseo).
• Kim Gu’s Liberation Folding Screen: Written in disciplined regular script (haeseo) alongside an original sijo poem, this screen was brushed by Baekbeom Kim Gu after Korea’s liberation in 1945 for a fellow comrade, capturing the quiet dignity and joy of reclaimed national independence.
• Lee Gi-woo’s Seal Script Signboard: Master calligrapher Cheolnong Lee Gi-woo’s signboard writing Muhaksanbang (무학산방) reveals the geometric equilibrium, balanced weight, and ancient architectural harmony inherent to seal script (jeonseo).

Practical Guidelines Before Your Visit

Donation Hall 4 is located on the second floor of the Permanent Exhibition Hall and is completely free to enter without requiring advance ticket reservations.

Gallery hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with extended evening hours until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. The museum closes on January 1, Seollal, and Chuseok Day.

For more exhibition coverage published on this site, explore our guides to Kim Heecheon: Moles and The Path that Remains.

Exhibition Information and Official Sources

Detailed exhibition announcements and collection records are available directly on the official museum website:

National Museum of Korea Official Website

Please reconfirm exhibition schedules and visitor announcements on the official website before visiting A Heart for Sharing Beauty.