Portrait of a Meritorious Official from the Fifteenth Century
Portrait of Jang Malson
  • Unidentified artist
  • Joseon Dynasty, c. 1476
  • Ink and color on silk
  • Collection of the Head House of Indong Jang Clan (Holder of Yeonbokgun Title)
  • Treasure

This portrait depicts Jang Malson (1431–1486), a civil official who served during the reigns of Kings Sejo and Seongjong of the Joseon dynasty. Shown in full formal attire, he wears a blue ceremonial robe with a black official cap and is seated in a chair with his body and face slightly turned to the left in a three-quarter view. The face is rendered with delicate washes to create a sense of volume, while the fine lines used to depict the wrinkles and eyes clearly define his features. A white pheasant is embroidered in gold thread on his chest insignia, indicating a senior third-rank position at the time the portrait was made. This portrait represents the typical style of meritorious subjects in the late 15th century.