
Statue of King Sejong the Great
2009
This monumental bronze sculpture depicts King Sejong the Great, the fifteenth-century Korean monarch revered for his scholarly achievements and creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Seated in formal repose upon an ornate throne, the figure wears traditional royal robes and an official crown, holding a scroll that symbolizes his intellectual legacy. The work stands as a towering centerpiece of Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul, rendered in gleaming golden bronze that commands the urban landscape against the backdrop of Seoul's mountainous terrain. Created by sculptor Kim Young-won, the piece combines classical portraiture with monumental public art conventions, celebrating both individual achievement and national pride. The inscription in Korean characters beneath the pedestal identifies the subject, anchoring this tribute within its specific cultural and historical context. Photo by Skyler W on Unsplash
- Medium
- Bronze sculpture
- Spotted At
- Venue · Gwanghwamun Plaza
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