Portrait of Choe Deok-ji and Sketch on Oil Paper

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.594

Category

Painting

Era

조선 문종 2년(1452)

Designated year

1975

Location

영암군, 전라남도— 전라남도 영암군

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This is a portrait of Choe Deok-ji (1384-1455), a scholar-official of early Joseon, accompanied by a preparatory drawing used for the portrait. Choe Deok-ji was admitted into civil service in 1405 (the 5th year of King Taejong’s reign) to serve, thereafter, as the governor of various towns in Jeolla-do. The portrait is painted in ink and color on silk and measures 53㎝ by 74㎝. Choe Deok-ji is shown seated on a chair in front of a desk with a couple of books on it. The head is slightly turned toward his right, while the body is facing the front. The semi-transparent hat, through which the top hair knot can be seen, is in a transitional style that existed between late Goryeo and early Joseon. The clothes are in a single tone, and the face in a brownish color. The eyebrows are depicted meticulously with individual hairs shown pointed downward over a background painted in pale ink. The feet are hidden under the long garment, with only the hands left visible; details that are characteristic to Goryeo-period portraits. A portrait of Choe Deok-ji in his late years, this work is realistic and finely-detailed, notably in the depiction of the face and the drapery. The sketch, identical in dimensions to the finished portrait, sheds an interesting light on the preparatory steps taken in creating this portrait. The oldest Joseon-period portrait of an official, this painting provides insights into the style and technique prevalent in early Joseon, as well as the attire and general appearance of an official in this period.