Samsung Art Store Adds Historic Korean Artworks from Late Chairman's Collection

Samsung is bridging technology and cultural heritage by bringing a curated selection of traditional Korean art to its digital platform. The company has announced the addition of twenty artworks from the personal collection of its late chairman, Lee Kun-Hee, to the Samsung Art Store. This move follows a recent exhibition collaboration with the National Museum of Korea, now extending access to Samsung consumers globally through their connected displays.

Bringing Cultural Treasures to Digital Displays

The newly added collection represents significant pieces from Korean art history, showcasing what the company describes as the "richness and excellence of traditional Korean art." These artworks are now accessible through the Art Store's dedicated National Museum of Korea page, where they will remain available until January 2027. The platform serves owners of The Frame, The Frame Pro, and select QLED television models, transforming these devices into digital canvases for cultural appreciation.

Highlights from the Collection

Among the twenty pieces are several notable works that span different artistic traditions and historical periods. "Clearing after Rain on Mount Inwang" represents the true-view landscape painting style, while "Ten Symbols of Longevity" embodies traditional wishes for health and extended life. The collection includes "Sound of Autumn" by Kim Hongdo, a leading painter of the Joseon Dynasty, and "Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks," a royal court painting symbolizing the Joseon monarchy.

Other significant works include "Banquet of King Yeongjo and Officials in Gyeonghyeondang Hall," "Butterflies," "Five Emperors of the Five Cardinal Directions," and "Four Underworld Messengers." The selection also features religious texts like "The Flower Garland Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra), Vol. 15" and everyday scenes such as "Scholar's Accoutrements in a Bookcase" and "Gathering of Families with Multiple Generations of Government Service."

Preserving and Sharing Cultural Heritage

This initiative represents a continuation of efforts to share Korean cultural treasures with broader audiences. The artworks originate from a collection that was recently featured in a special exhibition titled "Korea Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art. By digitizing these pieces for the Art Store, Samsung is creating new pathways for cultural engagement through technology.

The collection includes diverse subjects from nature scenes like "Gudambong Peaks" and "Sea, Cranes, and Sacred Peaches" to historical documentation such as "Royal Banquet in the Imjin Year" and "The King Views the Dredging." Traditional motifs appear in works like "Tiger and Magpie" and "Wrestling in the Afternoon," while philosophical themes are explored in "Panels of A Man's Ideal Life."

Conclusion

Samsung's integration of these historical artworks into its Art Store platform represents a meaningful convergence of technology and cultural preservation. By making these twenty pieces from the late chairman's collection available digitally, the company is not only honoring Korean artistic heritage but also reimagining how consumers can engage with art in their daily lives. This initiative demonstrates how digital platforms can serve as accessible gateways to cultural treasures, bringing museum-quality artworks into homes worldwide through modern display technology.