Art of Korea

Method 03 — Curatorial Language

Text Analysis

An exploration of the language used throughout Art of Korea's object labels. By analyzing recurring words, themes, and patterns, this section reveals how Korean art is presented and interpreted within the museum.

How Does Art of Korea Describe Korean Art?

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Total Labels47 object labels + 5 wall texts

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Total WordsTotal word count in all texts

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Unique WordsHow many different words appear

Word Cloud

A visual overview of the most prominent words found in Art of Korea's object labels.

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Top Keywords

The most frequently occurring words across Art of Korea's object labels.

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Theme Explorer

Six thematic lenses through which Art of Korea frames and interprets its objects. Select a theme to filter the analysis above.

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Dynastic History

How the gallery situates objects within the flow of historical periods and royal dynasties, framing Korean art as a chronicle of succession.

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Materials & Techniques

Language that foregrounds the physical materials and specialized craft techniques used to make objects, valuing artisanal mastery.

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Religion & Ritual

Language emphasizing religious meaning, ritual function, and spiritual symbolism — particularly Buddhist traditions that shaped Korean art.

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Everyday Life & Function

Language describing how objects were used in daily life and domestic settings, connecting art to lived human experience.

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Collecting History

Language revealing how the Met's Korean collection was formed through donors, funds, and acquisitions — the institutional history behind each object.

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Cultural Identity

Language that emphasizes the continuity and distinctiveness of Korean culture, tradition, and national identity across time.

Key Findings

The text analysis reveals that objects in Art of Korea are frequently framed through dynastic history, material craftsmanship, and cultural context. Recurring references to periods such as Goryeo and Joseon, alongside terms related to ceramics, metalwork, and religious practice, suggest that the gallery emphasizes historical continuity and material tradition. Rather than presenting objects in isolation, the labels consistently situate them within broader cultural and historical narratives.

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ART OF KOREA | The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Curatorial Structures