This study is aimed at presenting types of famous sleepers depicted in the paintings of Joseon(1392-1910) and getting a more comprehensive understanding of the meanings implied in them. For this, I analyzed how all the perceptions and actions about sleeping were adopted by Joseon artists to be sublimated into art through their works. I divided the paintings of sleepers into four types, and interpreted what are represented by each type of painting.
Firstly, the paintings of sleeping sages present their inner world. These sages led a life as a hermit, enjoying their idyllic life unfolded in the middle of nature. They sleep by leaning against a rock, tree, their own arm or books, and their sleep is often an afternoon nap. The sleeping sages in these paintings are generally regarded as a symbol of a prosperous, peaceful era.
Secondly, there are paintings capturing a great Tang poet Li Bai(701-762) sleeping with his head on a large wine pot. There are around him a brush, inkstone, paper and other items that highlight his success as a poet as shown by the nomenclature Poet Immortal. He sought after spiritual liberation and total freedom of imagination through drinking and is now regarded as a symbol of the artist who remained totally aloof from the hubbub of the world.
Thirdly, there were some painters who liked seizing a scene of sleeping Chen Tuan(872-989), a legendary Taoist sage who had his life secluded from the world. There had been no Chen Tuan painting discovered in Korea until recently when experts found that a painting, A Nap at the Cloud Terrace, by Kim Hong-do(1745-c.1806) currently in a collection of the National Museum of Korea is in face one of Chen Tuan who is admired as a thinker devoted his secluded life full of sleep to enriching his soul.
Fourthly, there are paintings depicting Zen monks squatted on a reed raft floating on waves, sleeping with their head on their knees which they hold by both hands. These monks are regarded as examples of the human beings who are committed to bringing peace to their life by controlling mind with closed eyes.
The paintings of sleeping people made during the Joseon period basically reflect the painters` aspiration towards an era of prosperity and peace. The subject attracted some of the dynasty`s greatest artists including Yi Gyeong-yun(1545-1611), Yun Du-seo(1668-1715), Sim Sa-jeong(1707-1769), Kim Hong-do, Yi In-mun(1745-1821), Yi Jae-gwan(1783-1838), and Yu Suk(1827-1873).