Portrait of Jusebung

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.717

Category

Painting

Era

조선 중종 37년(1543)

Designated year

1981

Location

영주시, 경상북도— 경북 영주시 순흥면 소백로 2740 (내죽리)

Coordinates

36.925059, 128.580316

This picture, measuring 62.5 cm by 134 cm, is a bust portrait of Ju Se-bung (1495-1554), a famous civil minister and scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. In 1543 (the 38th year of the reign of King Jungjong), he built the Baegundongseowon Confucian Academy (later called Sosuseowon), the first such academy in the Joseon Dynasty. He also devoted much of his time and energy to creating more opportunities for people to learn. In the picture he is depicted seated in his full official uniform, facing slightly to the left. His face is expressed with simple lines. The magnificent upper body and serene face clearly convey the dignified, noble look of a scholar, although his neck isn't fully expressed. The portrayal of the collar, which is rather too low, seems to have been influenced by an artistic trend of the time, as the same style can be seen in other pictures from this time. Historians are not sure who made this portrait or when, although they are agreed that it is possibly several centuries old, given the fading color, damage, dress style, and artistic touch. This painting is regarded as a valuable artwork in that it is a portrait of a 16th-century scholar, while most portraits of the time took meritorious retainers as their subjects.

Location