Portrait of Kim I-an

Kim I-an (1722–1791) belonged to the Andong Kim clan; his courtesy name was Wollye and his pen name Samsanjae. A descendant of Kim Sang-heon, he was the great-grandson of Kim Chang-hyeop, who represented the Nangnon, a branch of the Noron faction, and the son of Kim Won-haeng; he was honoured during the reign of King Jeongjo with the status of a sallim, a Confucian scholar-recluse esteemed without holding office. Two portraits of Kim I-an survive: a half-length portrait at Yonsei University Museum and a full-length standing portrait at Ewha Womans University Museum. The portraits held by the two museums show the same facial likeness and the same dress. The half-length Portrait of Kim I-an at Yonsei University Museum is an outstanding work, its delicate yet idealised depiction of the face giving a convincing, lifelike sense of the sitter. It is notable that the bokgeon, a headcloth worn on the crown, is coloured a deep purple. The version at Ewha Womans University Museum is a rare example among Joseon-period portraits of a full-length standing figure, but its painting style is stiffer than that of the Yonsei University Museum version. Of the two portraits of Kim I-an, only the Yonsei University Museum version has been designated a treasure. Dimensions (height × width): 79.5 × 54.9 cm.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물