Ahn Junggeun’s Treasure Calligraphy and Cheon Kyungja’s 1964 Masterpiece Make Auction Debut

K Auction to Offer 107 Lots, Including Ahn Junggeun’s Treasure Calligraphy “Baekindang Jungyu Taehwa”

Seoul Auction Features Cheon Kyungja’s Major Work and Collections by Kim Yongwon and Kim Yongsan

The handwritten calligraphy left by Ahn Junggeun, a renowned Korean independence activist, in February 1910 at Lushun Prison after being sentenced to death, and Cheon Kyungja’s large-scale color painting from 1964, will both appear at auction for the first time. K Auction will hold its June sale on the 24th at its headquarters in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, featuring Treasure No. 569-1, Ahn Junggeun’s calligraphy “Baekindang Jungyu Taehwa.” Seoul Auction will debut Cheon Kyungja’s 1964 work “Market” at its Gangnam Center on the 23rd, one day earlier.

The calligraphy by Ahn Junggeun designated as a treasure, "Baekindangjungyutaehwa." K Auction

Seoul Auction will offer 127 lots spanning modern and contemporary art as well as antiques, with a combined low estimate of approximately 11 billion won, at its 193rd art auction. K Auction will present 107 lots with a total estimated value of around 12 billion won in its June sale.

The highlight at K Auction is Ahn Junggeun’s “Baekindang Jungyu Taehwa,” written in 1910 at Lushun Prison. The phrase, which means “Peace and harmony reside in a family that endures a hundred times,” is the first of Ahn Junggeun’s designated treasures ever to be offered at auction in Korea. The work comes with a printed copy of Ahn’s death sentence dated February 14, 1910. After being acquired by a Korean in Manchuria during the Japanese colonial period, the calligraphy was preserved within a single family for over a century before being unveiled to the market through this auction. The bidding will start at 1.6 billion won.

Cheon Kyungja, 'Market' color on paper, 102×145cm, 1964. Seoul Auction

Seoul Auction is spotlighting Cheon Kyungja’s “Market.” This large-scale color painting, densely populated with figures and objects in blue tones, is likewise making its auction debut. It was created just before Cheon’s first overseas travels in 1969 and is considered a representative work that showcases her artistic style and formal experimentation in the early 1960s. Seoul Auction also noted that the painting appears in the background of a 1964 photograph of Cheon’s Okindong studio, giving it documentary value as evidence of its creation. The estimate is between 800 million and 1.5 billion won.

Among the international artists, the complete set of 10 “Flowers” prints by Andy Warhol from 1970 stands out—it is the first time the full set is being offered together at a Korean auction. The estimate is 1.9 billion to 2.5 billion won. Also featured are KAWS’s large bronze Companion sculpture for its 20th anniversary, Nam June Paik’s “King Sejong,” and works by Yayoi Kusama.

Nam June Paik, 'King Sejong', single-channel video, 14 antique TVs, antique radio and various objects, sculpture: 56.2×190.1×168(h)cm, pedestal: 45.3×210.1×41.7(h)cm, 1998. Seoul Auction

K Auction is also presenting works by major Korean modern and contemporary artists, such as Yoo Youngkuk’s 1974 piece “Mountain,” Lee Ufan, Park Seo-bo, Ha Chong-hyun, and Kim Whanki, in celebration of the 110th anniversary of Yoo’s birth. Yoo Youngkuk’s “Mountain” is estimated at 500 million to 800 million won, while Lee Ufan’s “From Point” is expected to fetch between 1.6 billion and 3 billion won. Takashi Murakami’s “Sparkle” is also seeking a new owner, with an estimate of 550 million to 700 million won.

1967 Work "Mountain" by Yoo Youngkuk. K-Auction

In addition to Ahn Junggeun’s calligraphy, other handwritten works by historical figures will be featured. Two pieces by Chusa Kim Jeonghui, “Ink Orchid” and “Inscription,” are estimated at 200 million to 350 million won. A letter written by Seoae Ryu Seongryong in 1595 is offered at 4 million to 10 million won. Among handwritten pieces by Baekbeom Kim Gu, “Hyangnyeo Jasong” is estimated at 23 million to 50 million won, and “Gyotal Cheongong” at 5 million to 10 million won.

The Seoul Auction preview runs through the 23rd at its Gangnam Center. The K Auction preview continues until the 24th at its Sinsa-dong headquarters exhibition hall. Admission to both venues is free of charge.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.