Portrait of Isibang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1482

Category

Painting

Era

1623년경

Designated year

2006

Location

유성구, 대전광역시— 대전광역시 유성구 도안대로 398 (상대동, 대전시립박물관)

Coordinates

36.371837, 127.323927

Yi Si-bang (1594-1660) participated in the coup of 1623, which led to the ouster of King Gwanghaegun and accession of King Injo. His father, Yi Gwi (1557-1633), Lord of Yeonpyeong, and his elder brother, Yi Si-baek (1581-1660), Lord of Yeonyang, were both leaders of the upheaval to end the misrule of King Gwanghaegun. Yi Si-bang was cited as a second-grade meritorious subject for his role in the coup and named Lord of Yeonseong. He later headed various government ministries and was appointed as the head of the State Tribunal in 1659, the year King Hyeonjong ascended the throne. Six portraits of Yi Si-bang are handed down among his descendants. It is said they were all originally housed at his portrait hall in Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, where his descendants have lived through generations. Three of them are dated to 1623, the year Yi was commended for his role in the coup at the age of 30. One of them is a full-length portrait depicting Yi in a ceremonial robe in the typical early 17th-century portrait style of Joseon meritorious subjects. This is believed to be the original piece produced under royal orders, and hence has been designated Treasure No. 1482. A half-length portrait was later produced on the basis of the above work and housed at Seongbongseowon Confucian Academy in Mokdong-myeon, Gongju, where Yi Gwi’s memorial shrine is located. This rough copy is handed down along with an oil paper sketch presumed to be a tracing from the full-length portrait. The other three portraits depict Yi in old age in an official’s everyday uniform. One is a full-length portrait executed on silk and the other two are draft sketches of the bust done on paper.

Location