Korean Masterpieces Arrive in London
The international art circuit sees a significant addition as the Lee Kun-Hee Collection moves into Europe. The British Museum has announced a major exhibition titled "Korea," marking the first large-scale special presentation of Korean art at the institution in more than 40 years. This showcase draws from a massive cultural gift to the public, highlighting the historical and modern artistic output of the peninsula.
National Treasures on International Display
The exhibition, located in the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery, features 100 masterpieces selected from the late Samsung Chairman's holdings. The curation includes 10 National Treasures and 13 Treasures of Korea, representing the highest levels of recognized cultural significance. According to Samsung, the items were selected from the National Bequest of the Lee Kun-Hee Collection, which consists of over 23,000 artworks established in 2021.
Visitors will see several items making their international debut. The technical and visual highlights of the display include:
- Bronze Artifacts from Bisan-dong, Daegu, shown outside of Korea for the first time.
- Ancient Bronze Rattles that demonstrate early metalwork techniques.
- Modern pieces by Nam June Paik, Lee Jungseop, and Park Rehyun.
- A chronological range spanning two thousand years of creative history.
A Collaborative Cultural Exchange
The organization of this event involves a partnership between the British Museum, the National Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. By bringing these works to London, the organizers aim to provide a broader perspective on the resilience and depth of Korean heritage. The inclusion of more than twenty pieces never before seen outside their home country emphasizes the scale of this specific loan.
I hope this exhibition offers a gateway into Korean culture, spanning two thousand years of creativity and heritage, and that it will let everyone see Korea a little differently — for its beauty, its depth and its resilience.
— Samsung Newsroom
Exhibition Timeline and Access
Spec-wise, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view National Treasures alongside contemporary works in a single space. The "Korea" exhibition is scheduled to run from October 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Whether this specific selection of 100 items provides a comprehensive enough overview of the 23,000-piece bequest remains to be seen by attendees during the four-month residency in London.