Gung-su is embroidered artwork using highly skilled techniques made by the palace matrons of the Joseon Royal Court Embroidery Bureau. During the Joseon Dynasty, they decorated royal attire and accessories with embroidered designs featuring images and calligraphy. They also produced embroidered screens that served to make wishes for the longevity, peaceful life, and health of the royal family, including the King and the Queen.

Palace matrons of the Court Embroidery Bureau embroidered designs that were drawn by court painters of the Royal Court Painting Bureau into silk fabrics. So, the design of the royal court embroidery was restrained and extremely delicate when compared to the much more unrestrained embroidered artwork produced by the common people. In addition, beautiful colored thread made with natural dyes, expensive gold and silver thread were used to embroider the outline of artwork, so we can feel the majestic dignity of the royal court handicrafts.

Since the King lived frugally and abstained from luxuries, his example created an austere nature at court. As a result, royal court embroidery has a graceful and dignified beauty, as opposed to being eye-catching and sensational. It will be a valuable opportunity to understand the living culture of the Joseon Royal Court through the history of Korean embroidery and the beautiful embroidered artwork featured in the special exhibition “Artistic Court Embroidery.”