Portrait of Namguman

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1484

Category

Painting

Era

18세기 초

Designated year

2006

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.524041, 126.980350

Nam Gu-man (1629-1711) served as the rector of the National Confucian Academy and the Minister of Punishments and, later on, in 1683, when the Westerners faction split into the Old Doctrine and the Young Doctrine, led the latter group. The title at the top right reads, "Portrait of Master Nam, Retired First State Councilor, Endorsed with the Compliments of His Disciple and First State Councilor Choe Seok-jeong." At the top left is a long complimentary verse composed by Choe Chang-dae, the rector of the National Confucian Academy. Given that Choe Chang-dae only served in that position in 1711 and was promoted afterwards, it is more than likely that the portrait was produced in 1711. The subject is presented full length wearing a courtier's green round-necked robe and a black silk hat. He is sitting on a chair, facing the front. The most unique trait of this portrait is the way Nam’s face is depicted. Aside from a full-frontal depiction of the face being something of a novelty at the time, the face's uneven surface was also created with a unique method in which delicate ink wash was applied with little outlining. The brush technique looks similar to the boneless method. This portrait is important in that it shows a new style of portrait painting which emerged in the early 18th century.

Location