Portrait of Gangio

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1485

Category

Painting

Era

19세기

Designated year

2006

Location

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

Coordinates

37.524041, 126.980350

Kang Yi-o (pen-name: Yaksan, 1788-?), a member of the Jinju Kang Clan, was a grandson of the famous scholar-painter Kang Se-hwang. In this half-length, full-frontal portrait, he is depicted wearing an official's everyday pink robe and a black silk hat. The colophon at the top, praising the subject's wise appearance and the stunning likeness of the picture, was written by the famous calligrapher Kim Jeong-hui in his highly-reputed regular script. The red seals bear Kim's pen-names Chusa and Yeom. It is assumed that Kim wrote his complimentary verse as he was impressed by the portrait of Kang painted by Yi Jae-gwan (1783-c. 1838), a celebrated portrait painter of the time. The pink robe is depicted with lively brushwork; the outline and folds are expressed with lines of varying widths and a gradation of pink tones with chiaroscuro effects. The blue sash features a gold leaf ornament with a partially exfoliated surface. The subject’s complexion, moustache and beard, and costume all suggest that he was probably in his forties when he sat for this portrait. The scroll is in good condition, and shows traces of the glittering glue applied over its entire surface. This excellent portrait of the 19th century partially reflects Western painting techniques while remaining relatively faithful to earlier traditions. ㅇ Size (L x W): 63.9 x 40.3cm

Location