Period: Joseon era
Dimensions: 180 × 104 cm (Hanging scroll painting), 117.8 x 68.2 cm (Image)
Materials: Silk
Artist: Presumably Chae Yong-sin (1848-1941)
In this portrait, Emperor Gojong is seated on a throne while wearing a winged cap, called ikseongwan, and a royal robe known as gollyongpo. He is the 26th ruler of the Joseon era (1392-1910), crowned after the establishment of the Korean Empire in 1897, which explains the use of the yellow robe.
The painting bears no inscription identifying its maker or production date, but the portrait corresponds to Gojong's looks from his photographs, while the identity plaque reads "Imja-saeng, Gapja-deunggeuk," indicating that he was born in the Year of Rat and ascended the throne in 1864.
The painter is Chae Yong-sin, who was active from the end of the Joseon era into the modern era. He used fine brushstrokes to portray the texture and volume of Gojong's looks. The footstool is drawn from a frontal view, whereas the flower-patterned rush mat underneath is drawn from a top-down perspective. The multiple viewpoints within a single composition are a unique characteristic of Chae's portraits.
Traditionally, royal portraits were painted in the royal presence and enshrined in a special hall. However, Chae created many other portraits of Emperor Gojong based on one portrait which he owned. This meant that portraits of Emperor Gojong could be publicly displayed to allow many people to gain a glimpse of the king, albeit indirectly.
mjcha@heraldcorp.com
