Portrait of Omyeonghang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1177

Category

Painting

Designated year

1993

Location

용인시, 경기도— 경기도 용인시 기흥구 상갈로 6 (상갈동, 경기도박물관)

Coordinates

37.268330, 127.108756

The artifacts include the following: the portrait of O Myeong-hang (1673-1728), who was a civil official during the mid-Joseon Dynasty; a royal certificate of meritorious subject issued to O Myeong-hang, and; a wooden box holding the portrait and the certificate. O Myeong-hang passed the civil service national examination in the 31st year of King Sukjong’s reign (1705) and got appointed to several high-ranking government positions such as Ijo jwarang (Assistant Section Chief of the Ministry of Personnel), Byeongjo panseo (Minister of the Ministry of Defense), and Uuijeong (Right State Councilor). He was designated as a first-rank meritorious subject in recognition of his outstanding services in suppressing the revolt led by Yi In-jwa in the 3rd year of the reign of King Yeongjo (1727) of the Joseon Dynasty. Measuring 1.03 m wide and 1.74 m long, the portrait is a full-body portrait painted on silk. The figure is looking to the right, wearing a black official hat and a deep bluish green official robe. The two cranes embroidered on the chest part of the robe show that it is a typical portrait of a meritorious retainer painted after being recognized as a meritorious figure. The tall hat, the tiger skin on the chair, and the feet positioned in 八 shape show the painting style of that time very well. His integrity and seriousness are depicted well by painting brown color on the face and reddish color around the jaws and eyes to define the facial contour. The portrait even depicts the chickenpox scars and mole beneath his nose. The royal certificate measures 289.5 cm wide and 42.9 cm long; it is made by gluing silk on a sheet of mulberry plate. First, 2 cm wide dark blue cloth is attached to the top and bottom parts of the plate; red line is used to border the square frame, and 63 lines are then drawn vertically. The message is written in black color between the lines within the frame. The message states that the King conferred the title of first-rank meritorious subject to 1 person, the second rank, to 7 persons, and the third rank, to 7 persons, along with their names in recognition of their roles in suppressing the revolt. A wooden spindle is placed on the right and left ends of the certificate, making it scrollable. At the back of the certificate is an inscription stating that civil official Sin Chi-geun made it, and that civil official Jo Myeong-gyo wrote on it.

Location