This portrait of the scholar-official Oh Jae-Sun was painted by the renowned portrait painter Yi Myeong-Gi when the sitter was 65 years of age. The portrait, with the sitter in a dignified pose wearing official dress, follows the late-18th-century style of portraying meritorious retainers. As the usually present floor mat is missing, there is no clear indication of a background or foreground space. The tiger skin on the back of the chair and the positioning of the feet on the stool also follow the style typical of the period. The numerous creases on the garment stress the indentations and movement of the fabric, with darkened areas indicating shade. In depicting the face, which was considered the most important part of a portrait, emphasis was placed on shading to realistically achieve the contours of the face rather than on minute brushwork. This work is considered as the most representative work for the meticulous expressions and detailing, done by the great portrait painter Yi Myeong-Gi during the Joseon Dynasty. It is designated as Korean Treasure No. 1493.

History of the Object

Oh Jae-Sun (1727 - 1792) was a high government official and scholar during the reign of King Jeongjo and was also a nephew of Oh Chan (1717 - 1751), a close friend to the painter Yi In-sang (1710 - 1760). There is an extant commentary on Yi In-sang’s painting, “Bukdong Ahoedo,” dated 1744.