An Chungsik
Korean artist (1861-1919)
An Chungsik (Korean: 안중식; Hanja: 安中植, 1861–1919), art name Simjŏn (심전), was an artist who lived at the very end of the Joseon period.
An is known for being one of the last painters under the Royal Bureau of Painting, the official painting organization for the Korean monarchy. After the Japanese Annexation of Korea, An became a teacher for multiple painting and calligraphy schools and institutions, inspiring and leading the next generation of Korean painters. He also created his own association called the Association of Painters and Calligraphers, where exhibitions for Korean artists to showcase their work would be hosted. An worked here until his death in 1919, which signified the end of traditional Joseon court painting technique and style.
Biography
Early life
The Royal Bureau of Painting
An Jungsik studied painting under Chang Sŭngŏp, a 19th-century artist known for his ink painting capabilities and overall well-roundedness in an array of painting styles. Chang is often described as being one of the three greatest artists during the Joseon period, along with Kim Hongdo and Sin Yunbok. An and Chang had a close relationship - An often did the writing, such as inscriptions and signatures, for Chang, who was illiterate. After practicing and learning under Chang, An joined the Royal Bureau of Painting. It was during his time as a profession court painter when he became well acquainted with Cho Sŏkchin, 1853–1920), another painter who was also working for the Royal Joseon court.
The public source identifies “An Chungsik” as korean artist (1861-1919). This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Chungsik, Korean and artist.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “An Chungsik”, the useful work is to connect “korean artist (1861-1919)” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The entry’s evidential value lies in the named roles, institutions and publications that can be tested against primary documentation. The source revision retrieved here is dated Aug 1, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q10310975. VIAF identifies the subject as 252831166. 1 of 2 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1861, 1919, 1853 and 1920.
A concise life account rarely captures disputed attribution, private networks or the changing language used to describe a career. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Read biographical claims against dates, named institutions and the cited references. Distinguish a subject’s later reputation from evidence produced during their lifetime.
- Establishing names and roles
- Building a first chronology
- Locating cited institutions
Personal papers, civil or court records, institutional files and the scholarship cited by the source.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “An Chungsik”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow An Chungsik primary sources, An Chungsik archive and Chungsik research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “An Chungsik”?
- How has the subject’s reputation changed across later accounts?
- Which claims depend on a single source or contested interpretation?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “An Chungsik” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.