Writing and its artistic expression, calligraphy (kor. seoye), play a major role in Korean art. The Chinese script with its ideo-and pictographic characters (kor. hanja) was adopted in Korea as early as the 1st century. From the 15th century onward, the phonetic script (kor. hangeul), invented on behalf of King Sejong (r.1418–1459), was added.
The differently shaped strokes of these two scripts are traditionally written with brush and ink. Painting is also carried out using the same media, and the brush strokes are similar to those used in calligraphy. The art of writing can also be found on handcrafted objects. Decors are inspired by the aesthetics of calligraphy with its modulating strokes.
In order to illustrate the influence and importance of calligraphy in Korea, the exhibition contrasts works of contemporary Korean writing and traditional as well as modern painting with examples of ceramics and bronzes from the Goryeo period (918–1392), a peak of Korean culture.
SUPPORTED BY
Orientstiftung zur Förderung der Ostasiatischen Kunst
Fördererkreis des Museums für Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
Opening times
Tuesday to Sunday
11am – 5pm
Every first Thursday in the month
11am – 10pm (except Mai 1)
Closed Mondays; open on All Saints' Day
Museum is closed on December 24th, Christmas Day (25 Dec), New Year's Eve (31 Dec) and New Year's Day (1 Jan). Museum is opend on Easter Monday, Whit Monday, German Unity Day and December 26.
The Museum of East Asian Art will be closed all day from Monday, May 4, 2026, through Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This closure is due to scheduled maintenance on the low-voltage main distribution panel (NSHV) to ensure that the museum can continue to operate smoothly and safely. Starting Thursday, May 7, 2026, the museum will be open to visitors again during regular hours.
Admission prices
€ 9.50 / € 5.50
KölnTag on the first Thursday of the month (except public holidays): free admission to the Museum for all Cologne residents.
How to get here
Public transport: Tram routes 1 and 7 and bus route 142, alight at ‘Universitätsstrasse’
There is a car park at the museum
Barrier-free
The museum is barrier-free. Disabled toilet available.
more
Termine
Führung:
Ein Schatzhaus für die Kunst Ostasiens – Das Museum im Überblick
Do, 02.04.2026, 17:30 Uhr
Workshop:
Zeichnen als meditative Praxis
Fr, 03.04.2026, 13:30 Uhr
Führung:
Buddhismus in Ostasien: Vorstellungen und Praktiken
So, 05.04.2026, 12:00 Uhr
Führung:
Tag der Provenienzforschung: Reisende
Mi, 08.04.2026, 14:00 Uhr
Workshop:
Qigong meets Art
Sa, 11.04.2026, 11:30 Uhr
Kalender
Museum für
Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
Universitätsstrasse 100
D 50674 Köln
Ticket office +49.221.221-28617
mok@stadt-koeln.de
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