Portrait of Ju Se-bung

The Portrait of Ju Se-bung is a half-length portrait of Ju Se-bung, a civil official and scholar of Joseon, measuring 62.5cm by 134cm. Ju Se-bung (1495–1554) founded Baegundong Seowon, Korea's first seowon or Confucian academy, in 1543, the 38th year of King Jungjong, and devoted himself to the promotion of scholarship; it was later renamed Sosuseowon Confucian Academy. The portrait depicts him wearing full official dress, with a samo (official hat) and gwandae (official belt), facing to the left. His face is rendered with simple lines, and his ample body has almost no visible neck, lending him an air of authoritative dignity. The low collar of the robe, also seen in other portraits, is thought to reflect a style fashionable at the time. Although the exact date of production is difficult to determine, the faded colours, the damaged condition, the costume and the brushwork suggest that it is quite old. Whereas most 16th-century portraits depict meritorious subjects, this is a scholar's portrait conveying scholarly dignity, and is therefore a very rare and valuable source.

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Where it is

Region

Yeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물