The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art will present "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared" from November 8, 2025 to February 1, 2026, marking the first U.S. exhibition of masterpieces from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection. Featuring over 200 works including a dozen Korean National Treasures, the exhibition spans 1,500 years of Korean art—from ancient Buddhist sculptures and ceramics to Joseon dynasty furnishings and 20th-century modern paintings. The collection, donated to the Republic of Korea in 2021 by the family of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee, comprises more than 23,000 works accumulated over 70 years. The exhibition is co-organized by the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, with additional loans from the Leeum Museum of Art shown exclusively in Washington, D.C.
This exhibition matters because it represents the largest and most comprehensive presentation of Korean art ever mounted at the National Museum of Asian Art, bringing a world-class collection to American audiences for the first time. It highlights the transformative power of philanthropic giving in the art world, as the Lee Kun-Hee bequest stands as one of the most significant cultural donations in Korean history. The show also underscores the growing international recognition of Korean art and cultural heritage, offering U.S. audiences a rare opportunity to engage with works spanning 1,500 years of artistic innovation and tradition.