North Korean Paintings

Art in North Korea is not free of obligation, and is always in the service of the Leader, who benefits from an idealized image of North Korea. The regime uses this well-painted socialist-realistic art to create and maintain an utopian North Korea. Essentially, the glorification of the system is in images with the subject of family, agriculture and industry, war and confrontation, with enemies like the US and Japan.

Peintures Nord-Coréennes

The paintings were made in the period 1960-2010 by professional North Korean painters. All pieces are made on behalf of the state and originally intended for domestic use in public buildings and hotels.

North Korean paintings with anti-American propaganda — North Korean Painting with Anti-American Propaganda

Order Image 12.437

朝鲜绘画

병사의 기술 - 북한의 회화 — Soldier’s Skills – North Korean Painting

Order Image 12.438

북한 회화

The liberation of Seoul by North Korean troops a few days after the start of the Korean War - North Korean painting — The liberation of Seoul by North Korean troops a few days after the start of the Korean War – North Korean painting

Order Image 12.439

Картины Северной Кореи

행복한 노동자들과의 북한 회화 — North Korean Painting with Happy Workers

Order Image 12.440

There are a few popular themes, obviously the war against the US imperialists and the brave North Korean soldiers that are fighting to protect their country. But what most people don’t know is that a lot of the propaganda actually portrays an idyllic view on life in North Korea. Paintings of beautiful corn crops and a thriving agricultural industry. School kids in uniform, smiling and singing national songs about the Great Leader. Modernization and progress under the guidance of the Kim family. Students practicing for the largest show in the world, the Arirang Mass Games. Heroic patriotism and the unification of the two Koreas. It’s the ultimate idealization of North Korean society.