Wild geese and reeds

Yang Gihun was an official painter of the Royal Academy of Painting (Dohwaseo 圖畫署) at the end of the Joseon dynasty, though his style often reflected the free spirit of the literati tradition. In 1883, Yang accompanied the statesman Min Yeong-ik (閔泳翊) on a diplomatic mission to the United States, where he produced the album American Customs (Miguk pungsok hwacheop 美國風俗畫帖). This rare record reflects his ability to observe and render scenes beyond the Korean peninsula. Yang was particularly celebrated for his paintings of geese among reeds (noando 蘆雁圖), a subject long favored in Korean art. The homonymic wordplay between noan (蘆雁, reed and geese) and noan (老安, peaceful old age) gave the theme auspicious connotations, making it especially beloved as a wish for longevity and tranquility in one’s later years.

The tenth panel includes a phrase:
江南水澗無天地
漠北沙塞看雪霧
影低寒渚青山暮
聲漏秋風白日沉
時維孟春 三江老漁 楊石然
In southern streams, water blurs the bounds of sky and ground;
In northern deserts, snow and mist in dunes abound.
Shadows descend on cold isles, blue hills veil in night;
Through sounds of autumn wind, the white sun sinks from sight.
With respect on the First Month, by the old fisherman at three rivers, Yang Seokyeon