Nine Dragon Falls on Diamond Mountain

This painting conveys the feeling of awe and exhilaration the artist experienced when he visiting the famous Nine Dragon Falls in the Diamond Mountains in North Korea. Park captured with energy and excitement the height and power of the waterfall, the cliff with its hard, wet surface glistening in the light, and the water from the pond beneath the falls overflowing into a stream. The strong contrast of dark and light and the pulsating brushstrokes, at once rough and supple, create a drama worthy of this famous site.

Since the 1970s, Park, like the “true view” painters during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), has traveled throughout South Korea to experience and sketch sites that have personal or cultural significance. He is also one of a handful of South Korean painters who have had opportunities to visit North Korea and bring back sketches of important scenic sites.