Portrait of Emperor Gojong

Period Unknown · 1F · Medieval and Early Modern History · Korean Empire

This is a portrait of Emperor Gojong, the first emperor of the Korean Empire. The tongcheon-gwan crown and the gangsapo robe he wears indicate that the portrait was painted after he ascended the throne as emperor. The background is decorated with a curtain and a carpet of similar pattern lies beneath his feet—an unusual choice, as draped curtains rarely appear in royal portraits. The realistic, almost Western-style rendering of the face, the heavy coloring, and the textural depiction of the robes and curtain depart markedly from traditional methods of painting royal portraits.

See it in person at the National Museum of Korea — 1F · Medieval and Early Modern History · Korean Empire

Source: based on official e-museum records (National Museum of Korea).