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Medieval and Modern Art Gallery
Located on the first floor of the National Museum of Korea, the Medieval and Early Modern Gallery charts Korean history from the unified kingdoms of Silla and Balhae through the Goryeo and Joseon periods. The collection presents the cultural and historical heritage of these successive eras, culminating with the brief Korean Empire, which lasted just thirteen years. What to see here includes artefacts spanning centuries of Korean civilisation and statecraft.
Calligraphy and Painting Gallery
The Calligraphy and Painting Gallery is one of six permanent collections at the National Museum of Korea, located on the second floor. It explores Korea's traditional arts of calligraphy and painting, presenting them as inseparable disciplines rooted in East Asian philosophy. Following a comprehensive six-month renovation, the gallery reopened on 26 February with a completely reorganised display and new technological innovations. What to see includes masterworks showcasing the deep connection between these intertwined artistic traditions.
Donation Gallery
The Donation Gallery, situated on the second floor of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, houses approximately 800 artworks from private collections gifted to the museum. The pieces were predominantly donated by Korean painters and collectors, reflecting the generosity of individuals committed to preserving the nation's cultural heritage. What to see here includes an impressive range of paintings that chart the development of Korean art through contributions from both established and emerging artists.
Sculpture and Craft Gallery
Located on the third floor of the National Museum of Korea, this gallery showcases Korean traditional art across three main areas: Buddhist sculpture, metalwork and ceramics. You'll find imposing Buddha statues cast in iron, bronze and granite, alongside finely crafted metalwork pieces and representative porcelain from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. A straightforward introduction to Korea's sculptural and decorative heritage.
Silent Contemplation Hall (Room 209 – Statues of Pensive Bodhisattva)
The Silent Contemplation Hall (Room 209) showcases two gilded bronze statues of the Pensive Bodhisattva, regarded as the finest examples of Korean Buddhist art and the museum's defining symbol. Spanning 439 square metres, the space is purpose-built to encourage quiet reflection. A dimly lit corridor, gently sloped walls and floor, and softly luminous ceiling create an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. What to see here represents the pinnacle of Korean Buddhist sculpture.
Celadon Hall (Room 303)
The Celadon Hall (Room 303) occupies the third floor of the National Museum of Korea and showcases celadon ceramics from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). Soft lighting throughout the gallery emphasises the pieces' distinctive greenish hues. The centrepiece is a pierced celadon censer—the collection's finest work and designated a National Treasure since 1962. What to see here captures the pinnacle of Korean ceramic craftsmanship from this era.
White Porcelain Hall (Hall 305)
Room 305 showcases white porcelain from the Joseon dynasty, a ceramic tradition rooted in Confucian philosophy that prized simplicity and restraint. The centrepiece is the renowned Moon Jar, a large, rounded vessel that epitomises the aesthetic values of its era and ranks among the museum's most significant holdings. This room offers insight into the refined ceramics that defined a period of Korean artistic achievement.
Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Storey Pagoda
The Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Storied Pagoda stands in the central corridor of the ground floor of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. This striking marble structure reaches 13.5 metres in height—roughly equivalent to a five-storey building. Built in 1348 during the late Goryeo dynasty, it is exceptional among Korean pagodas for being carved entirely from marble. Every surface is densely covered with intricate Buddhist scenes and iconography, making it a remarkable example of medieval Korean craftsmanship and religious artistry. What to see here reflects centuries of cultural heritage.
- 1.Medieval and Modern Art Gallery
- 2.Calligraphy and Painting Gallery
- 3.Donation Gallery
- 4.Sculpture and Craft Gallery
- 5.Silent Contemplation Hall (Room 209 – Statues of Pensive Bodhisattva)
- 6.Celadon Hall (Room 303)
- 7.White Porcelain Hall (Hall 305)
- 8.Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Storey Pagoda
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