A real tour de force of Korean embroidery art, performed by a master. The workmanship is tight, intricate, so very minute and fine. The piece is massive.A large rectangle of silk has been embroidered with satin stitch using silk threads. The design is of a wild spring meadow with flowers and grasses. In the foreground is the embroidery of a ring neck pheasant in all of its glory with the female pheasant by his side. The scene takes place in spring with a myriad of blooming plants and the male pheasant in all of its radiant plumage. The artist made the stems and flowers come alive with scintillating reflective light. They have also made textures by embroidering in layers. The silk background itself has a gradation of color from turquoise to a russet. The piece was professionally framed with a backing and an inner mat of brocade. The frame is black wood and enhances the picture.The work engages the use of Chasu, a traditional form of Korean embroidery. The silk thread used takes the place of the conventional paint to create artistic masterpieces that appear to be oil on canvas painting when viewed from afar but the close up of the painting shows the detailed artistry of the embroidery.There is a three character signature in the right corner done in Korean using satin stitch.Provenance: This item was a gift to Edwin McMillan, 1951 Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry as a thank you for donating a large number of Physics Today magazines to a library in Korea. Edwin's daughter remembers the artista€?s name as Madam Yung Hi Sub, although we have still been unable to find any reference to her using our library and the internet. The signature reads Seo Yeonghui. According to Dr. McMillana€?s daughter, the piece won the Korean embroidery of the year award.MEASUREMENTS 44 1/2" x 23 1/2 (33 x 53 framed) Weighs 24 lbs 15 oz (11. 3 kg)CONDITIONThe silk has no unraveling threads, rips, or tears. There is minor staining to the ground from humidity and some fading. The colors are still quite bright. There is some unraveling of the brocade mat along the top.An important and grand work of art.Item ID: FA-1847