A traditional chaekgeori painting of a simple wooden bookshelf typical of 18th century Korea filled with primarily books and a few other scholar’s possessions. Though the outside two shelves are asymmetrical, the symmetry of the middle two shelves draws attention to the numerous books on the bottom shelf as well as the small ink paintings on the middle shelf. Chaekgeori such as this one were popularized during Korean King Jeongjo’s reign, as elite members of society could use this art form to display the collection of their dreams without going against Neo-Confucian values, which discouraged owning many luxurious items. Books dominated chaekgeori’s of this time, as King Jeongjo used them to promote propaganda and encourage austerity and good behavior through displaying Confucian classics within the paintings.