94 Traditional Painting
of the Giroso in 1689. The officials are shown against the background of a Chinese-style mansion and garden. Also worthy of special mention are two 18th century pieces executed by a group of leading portrait painters, including Jang Ok and Jang Gyeong-ju. One of these album leaves dates to 1719, and the other was painted in 1744. Both contain small, half-length portraits of figures with stereotyped features and postures. The coloring was done in layers, a common Joseon-era technique, which made the faces appear more realistic. Larger individual portraits were also produced privately.
Portrait of Yi Jae. A portrait of late Joseon-era scholar Yi Jae (1745-1820) is typical of the portraits of Joseon literati. (1803, National Museum of Korea) Self-Portrait. Yun’s self-portrait is impressive for its shrewd depiction of a handsome face with a penetrating gaze and impressive side whiskers and beard. (Yun Du-seo, 1710, Nokudang, Jeollanam-do)