Landscape and Poem: "Searching for the Hermit of the West Hill: Not Meeting Him" by Qiu Wei (694–789?)

An Jae-geon was a military official during the late Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). Historical documents indicate that he was adept as a painter of landscapes, and of birds and animals, but few of his works survive. In addition to this example, there are two other leaves from the same album painted and inscribed by An Jae-geon in the Smart Museum collection (see Smart Museum object numbers 1995.80 and 1995.82). The poem he wrote on this landscape album leaf is excerpted from a compilation of early Chinese poetry called 300 Tang Poems. It reads: The light green color of the grass has been freshened by the rain. / Through the window, the room is full of the sounds of pine and wind. / Written freely by Ja-bak [Jae-geon] at an inn by Hwaseong Fortress. King Jeongjo commissioned the fortress—a wall built around the Korean provincial capital city of Suwon between 1794 and 1796—to honor and house the remains of his father. It is not altogether surprising that this painting was brushed at this location, since An Jae-geon may have been stationed in Suwon during his public military service or at least visited the site as part of his official duties.