Portrait of Kang Min-cheom

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.588

Category

Painting

Era

조선 정조 12년(1788)

Designated year

1975

Location

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

Coordinates

37.524041, 126.980350

This portrait of Kang Min-cheom (?-1021), a general of Goryeo, measures 61.3㎝ by 80㎝. Although remembered mainly for his military accomplishments, Kang Min-cheom was originally a civil official who began his career during King Mokjong’s reign (997-1009) through the civil service examination. When Goryeo was invaded in 1012 (the 3rd year of King Hyeonjong’s reign), by the Eastern Jurchen, he vanquished the enemy, leading the army in the capacity of an anchalsa (a provincial governor). In 1018 (the 9th year of King Hyeongjong’s reign), he also made remarkable contributions in thwarting the invasion by the Khitan. In this waist up portrait, Kang Min-cheom is shown wearing bokdu, a ceremonial hat donned by a successful candidate to the civil service examination, in three-quarter view, turned to his left. The tiger skin hangs from the back of his chair, a recurring detail in 18th-century portrait paintings. This portrait is a Joseon-period copy of an original portrait from the Goryeo Period by Park Chun-bin and dates from 1788 (the 2nd year of King Jeongjo’s reign). Given the dearth of surviving Goryeo-period portraits, this painting, although a Joseon-era replica, is valued for glimpses it offers into the style used in this period for the portraiture of meritorious retainers in Goryeo.

Location