The Korean smile: Smile like the bright sun, smile like the clear moon

- S 1001 011 -

This picture was drawn by a child after reading a book on ethics and morals. The message of the book was that the child has to respect older people and that the community is more important than oneself. The picture exudes the positive energy that makes people happier, purer and more active.

(Drawn by a 5 - 6 year old child in 1847)

What is a man? What is a woman?

- S 1002 011 -

Since the dawn of mankind there have been various descriptions of the differences between men and women all over the world. Do you see the big 'something' between the man's legs (the person on the right) and the flat 'something' on the woman's abdomen (the person on the left)?

(Drawn by a child in the early 20th century)

Flowers bloom

- S 1003 011 -

Out of sheer boredom, the child rather unconsciously drew a few small circles. Coincidentally, these circles made a flower. It drew more circles - the more the better. The child must have been very interested in flowers, because identical images are repeated on several consecutive pages. Perhaps it had a beautiful dream that night when it was certain that it would be happy in the flower garden.

(Drawn by a child in the late 18th century)

Is it a house, a person, or a goblin?

- S 1004 011 -

It is difficult to see the shape exactly. What do you think the doodler wanted to express? The more ambiguous a drawing is, the more curious and interested I become. I have to look at the drawing over and over again. Some viewers say it is a house. Others say it is an evil spirit. But the draftsman certainly wanted to say something more. The addition of the flying bird on the roof ridge transforms the house into something lively. The draftsman later gave the creature legs.

(Drawn by a child in 1948)

In spring, the willow branches are drooping

- S 1005 011 -

Was the boy tired? Was he looking out the window to stay awake or was he staring at the weeping willow that was washing her long hair in the river? It was spring everywhere now: the sky was clear and the wind was fresh and cool. How could he so immerse himself in his studies? He just wanted to leave his book there, go down to the river, and then float like a soft feather on the stream.

(Drawn by a child in the early 20th century)

Soaring lines

- S 1006 011 -

In this picture we see a bird that can fly so high, so easily and so steadily like no other in the world. Or are they lines that move freely and naturally upwards? The bird's beak stretches and the little cock stretches up. The child drew the eyes in an extraordinary way. But even more unusual is the spring between the legs. With the help of this slim feather, the bird can keep its balance.

(Drawn by a child in 1854)

A nymph

- S 1007 011 -

Perhaps the doodler wanted to paint a nymph, his dream woman. But her appearance is too simple for a nymph. With her flat nose and well rounded hips, she looks more like 'the neighbor from next door'. Or is she a waitress from a pub?

(Drawn by a child in the late 19th century)

A man with A 'Kat'

- S 1008 011 -

The man is wearing a kat (traditional Korean hat), which is drawn from straight interconnected lines. It looks immobile, but at the same time dynamic, because the hat brims bend downwards on both sides. It would be interesting to know what is between his legs. Why is he not wearing any clothes apart from the 'Kat'?

(Drawn by a child in the late 19th century)

The kid's first picture of a man

- S 1009 011 -

In childhood, things around you are more isolated and blurred. Later you begin to see and understand things holistically and systematically. The picture shows the stage of development when the child begins to understand.

(Drawn by a 3 year old child in 1854)

Having fun on the lake

- S 1010 011 -

The weeping willow towers over the boats like a green curtain. Magnificent lotus flowers bloom on the water. In the sky the birds fly in formation and three sweet innocent boys in the sailing boat are watching us. Presumably they say with a proud chest: 'We have fun on the lake'.

(Drawn by a child in the early 19th century)

Please be scared of me

- S 1011 011 -

A tiger has a terrifying face and sharp claws. People believe that he can protect them from the evil spirits. That is why they regularly hang pictures of tigers on the wall on New Year's Day. But this tiger looks so peaceful and funny that even a rabbit would rather smile at him than be afraid of him. The draftsman intended to paint a tiger; the result, however, was more of a cat. 'Meow!'

(Drawn by a child in the late 19th century)

Title of an apricot tree picture

- S 1012 011 -

Was the boy tired? Was he looking out the window to stay awake or was he staring at the weeping willow that was washing her long hair in the river? It was spring everywhere now: the sky was clear and the wind was fresh and cool. How could he so immerse himself in his studies? He just wanted to leave his book there, go down to the river, and then float like a soft feather on the stream.

(Drawn by a child in the early 20th century)