○ Date: April 24 - June 24, 2012

○ Venue: Special Exhibition Gallery, Gwangju National Museum

Beginning in late April, the Gwangju National Museum will host the exhibition The Return of the Oegyujanggak Uigwe from France, marking the second chance for people to see the Oegyujanggak Uigwe, following NMK’s extremely successful 2011 exhibition.

Last year, 145 years after the Oegyujanggak Uigwe were looted by the French navy from Oegyujanggak in Ganghwa Island, the precious collection of records was finally returned to Korea. The uigwe is a unique collection of royal protocols of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), which uses both text and illustrations to record and describes the major ceremonies and rites of the royal family. In 2007, it was registered by the UNESCO Memory of the World program for its rarity and historical significance.

Several copies were made for the uigwe: one intended for royal viewing and others to be deposited separately in state archives. The Oegyujanggak Uigwe consists mostly of royal viewing copies, which are of much higher quality. This exhibition features a total of 109 relics, including the Gilt Royal Seal of King Heonjong and 51 portions of uigwe books, such as the Uigwe for the State Funeral of King Heonjong and the Uigwe for the Establishment of the Spirit Hall for Queen Seon-ui.

This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to view in person the Oegyujanggak Uigwe, showcasing the Joseon Dynasty’s artistic elegance and unwavering commitment to thorough documentation.

Uigwe for the Establishment of the Spirit Hall for Queen Seon-ui, 1730

Uigwe for the Investiture Ceremony of Crown Prince Munhyo, 1784