Southern-school painter; pen name Uijae; founder of the Yeonjinhoe in Gwangju
| Life | 1891 ~ 1977 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 양천 허씨 |
Heo Baek-ryeon (1891-1977) was a modern Korean painter of the Yangcheon Heo clan, with the pen name Uijae, born in Jindo, South Jeolla. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture describes him as a distant relative of the nineteenth-century master Heo Ryeon and says he learned the basics of ink painting from Heo Ryeon's son Heo Hyeong, which led him to become a professional painter. After primary school he went to Seoul and studied at the Giho school; in 1913 he went to Japan, intending to study law and politics at Meiji University, but changed course to painting.
He stayed in Tokyo about six years and, under the influence of the Japanese Nanga painter Komuro Suiun, turned toward orthodox Southern-school landscape. In 1922 he won a prize with a traditional landscape at the first Joseon Art Exhibition and drew attention, and in 1924 he exhibited works such as Gyesan cheongha. He then settled in Gwangju, South Jeolla, devoted to teaching pupils (the date of settlement is given as after 1927 or around 1937, and he is described as living at Chunseolheon in the Jungsimsa valley of Mudeungsan). The Yeonjinhoe was an association in Gwangju for traditional calligraphy and painting education and fellowship; the Encyclopedia gives 1938 and Wikipedia 1935, so sources differ.
After liberation he took over the Mudeung Mountain tea garden, cultivating tea and running a farm, and in 1947 founded an agricultural technical school to teach farming and schooling to poor youths. After the national art exhibition began in 1949 he served as recommended artist and juror, in 1960 became a member of the National Academy of Arts, and received a Cultural Medal in 1962 and the Academy Prize (art) in 1966. In 1973 a large retrospective was held in Seoul, sponsored by the Dong-A Ilbo.
He is regarded as a painter who followed the ancient method faithfully and deepened its standards, thoroughly inheriting the spirit and technique of Southern-school painting, and was also skilled in Chinese poetry, classical painting theory and calligraphy. Known pupils include the literati painter Yi Beom-jae and the calligrapher-painter Gu Cheol-u. Gyesan cheongha and Mochu are mentioned among his works.
An association founded in Gwangju for traditional calligraphy and painting education and fellowship; its founding year is given as 1935 or 1938 depending on the source.
After liberation he took over the Mudeungsan tea garden, and in 1947 founded an agricultural technical school. He is also introduced as having advocated the "three loves" philosophy (love of heaven, earth and people).
The location of his tomb was not confirmed here. The Uijae Art Museum and Chunseolheon at the foot of Mudeungsan, Gwangju, are presented as places connected with him.