Smithsonian Debuts Korean Art from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., is currently hosting "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared," the first U.S. exhibition showcasing significant works from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection. The exhibition, which opened on November 8, 2025, after a brief delay due to a U.S. federal government shutdown, will run through February 1, 2026.

Featuring over 200 masterpieces spanning 1,500 years, the exhibition includes ancient Buddhist sculptures, ceramics, paintings, furnishings, and modern 20th-century artworks. Notable pieces include Jeong Seon's "Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang" (1751), the woodblock print volume "Worin seokbo" compiled in 1459 by King Sejo, and a 19th-century screen titled "Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks," historically displayed behind the Joseon royal throne.

The Lee Kun-Hee Collection comprises over 23,000 works donated to Korea in 2021 by the family of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee. This donation reflects more than 70 years of generational collecting and includes a dozen National Treasures designated by the Korean government. The collection spans from ancient times to the present, embodying the depth and diversity of Korea's artistic legacy.

The exhibition is arranged thematically across ten galleries, exploring various aspects of Korean art and culture. It opens and closes with reflections on the practice of collecting in Korea, drawing inspiration from the tradition of chaekgado—vibrant painted screens depicting scholarly books and treasured objects. The galleries also focus on the scholar's study (sarangbang), the refinement of the Joseon royal court, the endurance of Buddhist imagery, and the emergence of modern Korean painting.

This exhibition is co-organized by the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Following its Washington run, the exhibition will travel to the Art Institute of Chicago (March 7–July 5, 2026) and later to the British Museum in London. Each institution will present a distinct interpretation of the collection, highlighting different selections from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection.

The exhibition provides a rare and extraordinary opportunity to share the richness and depth of Korean art with U.S. audiences. It serves as a meaningful platform to reflect on how Korean culture and art, while deeply rooted in tradition, are evolving toward new directions that embrace historical diversity and hybridity. The Lee family's generous contribution reflects a profound commitment to sharing Korea's cultural heritage with the world.

Chase F. Robinson, Director of the National Museum of Asian Art, stated, "‘Korean Treasures’ is a rare and extraordinary opportunity to share the richness and depth of Korean art with U.S. audiences." You Hong June, Director of the National Museum of Korea, added, "This exhibition features artworks from the collection generously donated by the family of the late Chairman Lee Kun-Hee." Kim Sunghee, Director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, noted, "The upcoming exhibition in Washington is generating great anticipation through its curatorial vision that bridges tradition with modern and contemporary art." Yoonie Joung, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America, commented, "The Lee family’s generous contribution reflects a profound commitment to sharing Korea’s cultural heritage with the world."

This exhibition marks the first time the Lee Kun-Hee Collection has been displayed in the United States. The collection, assembled by Samsung founder Lee Byung-chull and later expanded by his son Lee Kun-Hee, includes some of Korea’s most iconic artworks. The donation of this collection to the Korean nation in 2021 was a significant event, reflecting a decades-long commitment to preserving and sharing Korea’s artistic legacy and cultural heritage.