There was a Person in the Old Painting is a book written by Lee Il Su, who is a writer and also an exhibition manager. Having written 15 books on art so far, she has endeavored to narrow down the distance between the public and art. Her 12th book grasped the attention of the critic through the bountiful explanations of a number of paintings. The table of contents is divided into three parts, with a total of 19 widely acclaimed paintings from the Joseon dynasty. In each chapter, the author explains the hidden stories behind those paintings.

“The fullness of her apron embraces the warm sunshine that seems to pour into the painting.” This elegant description of “Waiting,” drawn by the Joseon artist Shin Yoon Bok, marks the beginning of the book. Also shown on the front cover, “Waiting” portrays a back silhouette of a woman, whose eyes seem to be focused far away. Interestingly, Lee points out the details like the apron, the soft hair on her neck that adds to the model’s loveliness, the spotlessness of her hair through which the author conveys her spotless character. From the slight appearance of the monk’s headgear partially hidden under the woman’s hands, and the Buddhist image of the willow tree, Lee concludes that the woman is in love with the monk, a surprising interpretation that many viewers would otherwise not catch.

The author’s tone remains consistent throughout the book.sophisticated, academic but not in a didactic way, enough to fulfill the reader’s curiosity. This is apparent in the author’s ample presentation of background information regarding the works, as seen in the chapter dealing with another painting “Mongyoudowondo.” The masterpiece which is famous for its portrayal of a king’s dream, the author brings out the story of renowned psychologist Sigmund Freud. Explaining that Freud claimed dreams are the key to a person’s life, the author smoothly proceeds to the possibility of the king’s dream as an omen to his later tragedy, when he is assassinated by his servants. While many viewers simply notice the wide-open scenery, the author tells more about the story behind the canvas.

Many imagine maudlin descriptions or academic jargons hardly comprehensible when they hear that this book is about art. There was a Person in the Old Painting is an exception to the stereotype. No jargons and wordiness can be seen in this book. Written in easy but ample vocabulary, the book lets the readers fully accept the explanations presented by the author. Pictures, as well as some close-ups that follow the words of the author help readers to comprehend the book. The most catching aspect of this book however, would be the sparkling insights of the author. From the most familiar works of the Joseon dynasty, the author narrates the most novel stories. Through the author’s viewpoints, the readers are able to see a whole new picture of the Joseon dynasty and its people.

So do not feel bad about being unable to experience the bygone society of the Joseon Dynasty. Through the canvas, everyone is a spectator. Breathe in every stroke of the brush, and blend into the atmosphere inside the painting. Take some time to savor in the fruitful information Lee wholeheartedly offers, which adds to the appreciation of the painting. Stop at the missed points, and discover the uncovered mystiques that increase the depth of the painting. Undeniably, There was a Person in the Old Painting is a guideline to this delightful adventure.