A Brush Guided by Tradition In the waning years of the Joseon dynasty, a painter emerged whose hand could capture both the majesty of kings and the quietude of the natural world. Yi Han-cheol lived through a period of profound transition, serving as a court painter during the reigns of Heonjong, Cheoljong, and Emperor Gojong. His life was shaped by the rigorous discipline of great scholars and artists who sought to refine his innate talent. Under their guidance, he learned to balance the weight of formal tradition with a personal touch that felt remarkably alive. His training brought him into…