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Kim Young-won — Statue of King Sejong the Great
Kim Young-won

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

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About this work

Kim Young-won, 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
Year
2009
Seen at
Gwanghwamun Plaza

Related themes

Landmark, Seated Figure, Plaza Installation, Korean History, Cultural Icon, Civic Art, Monumental, Bronze Sculpture, Golden Bronze, Commemorative, Public Art, National Monument, Portraiture, Historical Figure, Royal Subject, Contemporary Sculpture, Seoul, East Asian Art, Figurative, Twenty First Century, Outdoor Sculpture