Smithsonian Hosts Landmark Exhibition of Korean Art from Lee Kun-Hee Collection

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art is currently hosting "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared," the first U.S. exhibition showcasing significant works from the renowned Lee Kun-Hee Collection. Running from November 15, 2025, through February 1, 2026, the exhibition offers American audiences an unprecedented opportunity to engage with over 200 masterpieces spanning 1,500 years of Korean art.

This landmark exhibition not only highlights the depth and diversity of Korea's artistic heritage but also underscores the profound impact of Lee Kun-Hee's dedication to cultural preservation. The collection, donated to the Republic of Korea in 2021 by Lee's family, comprises more than 23,000 works and reflects a decades-long commitment to sharing Korea's cultural legacy with the world.

Background on Lee Kun-Hee and the Collection

Lee Kun-Hee (1942–2020), the former chairman of Samsung Group, was a pivotal figure in South Korea's economic development and a passionate art collector. His extensive collection, amassed over decades, includes masterpieces by both Korean and Western artists. In 2021, his family donated approximately 23,000 artworks to the Korean nation, a gesture that significantly enriched the country's public art holdings. This donation was unprecedented in both scale and significance, spanning prehistoric to contemporary times and comprising rare books, as well as all major media explored by Korea’s artists and artisans.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition is organized thematically across ten galleries, each exploring various aspects of Korean art and culture. Highlights include Jeong Seon's "Clearing after Rain on Mount Inwang" (1751), the woodblock print volume "Worin seokbo" compiled in 1459 by King Sejo, and the 19th-century screen "Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks," historically displayed behind the Joseon royal throne.

The presentation begins and ends with displays inspired by chaekgado—19th-century painted screens depicting books and scholarly objects that reflect Korea’s collecting traditions. Other galleries 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.

Curatorial Insights

The 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. The presentation at the National Museum of Asian Art is curated by Keith Wilson, Carol Huh, and Sunwoo Hwang.

Sunwoo Hwang, the museum’s curator of Korean Art and Culture, emphasized the significance of the donation, stating, "The gift was unprecedented in both scale and significance. Spanning prehistoric to contemporary times and comprising rare books, as well as all major media explored by Korea’s artists and artisans."

Impact of U.S. Government Shutdown

The exhibition's opening was briefly delayed due to a U.S. federal government shutdown, which led to the temporary closure of major museums under the Smithsonian Institution. Originally scheduled to open on November 8, 2025, the exhibition was postponed and officially opened on November 15, 2025.

Cultural and Diplomatic Significance

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity for U.S. audiences to engage with Korean art and culture, fostering cross-cultural appreciation. The display of these works in the United States signifies a strengthening of cultural ties between Korea and the U.S., and highlights the global significance of Korean art.

Following its run in Washington, D.C., the exhibition will travel to the Art Institute of Chicago (March 7–July 5, 2026) and then to the British Museum in London.

This comprehensive exhibition not only showcases the richness of Korean art but also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Lee Kun-Hee and his family's dedication to cultural preservation and sharing.