Background
He grew up in present-day Ansan, South of Korea.
He grew up in present-day Ansan, South of Korea.
At the age of 7, Kim Hong-Do studied under the renowned master Pyoam Kang Se-hwang, who was then living in seclusion in Ansan.
He was together a pillar of the establishment and a key figure of the new trends of his time, the "true view painting". Kim Hong-do was an exceptional artist in every field of traditional painting, even if he is mostly remembered nowadays for his depictions of the everyday life of ordinary people, in a manner analogous to the Dutch Masters. Short In 1766, at the age of 21, on the recommendation of Kang Sehwang, he entered the royal service as a member (hwawon) of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court.
In 1771, he painted the portrait of the Royal Heir (the future King Jeongjo).
In 1773, he assisted Byeon Sang-byeok when painting the Royal Portrait of King Yeongjo (1694–1724–1776). At the same time, the new instated King Jeongjo (1752–1776–1800) commissioned him for many institutional paintings.
He died in loneliness and poverty, though the circumstances, and even the year are unknown. Sources are guessing 1806?, circa 1810, after 1814.
Danwon is remembered today as one of the "Three Wons," together with Hyewon and Owon.
He is also often joined to Owon and the 15th-century painter An Gyeon as one of Joseon"s three greatest painters. The city of Ansan, where he spent his youth and learned his craft, has memorialized him in many ways.
Danwon was a member of the Gimhae Kim clan.