A Gathering of Ministry of Military Affairs by the Hangang River
Gathering of Officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs
  • Unidentified artist
  • Joseon Dynasty, second half of 16th century
  • Ink and light color on silk
  • Private Collection

This painting depicts a gathering of officials from the Ministry of Military Affairs (Byeongjo), the government bureau responsible for national defense during the Joseon dynasty. The meeting appears to have taken place at Jecheonjeong (濟川亭), a pavilion perched on a cliff along the Hangang River, in present-day Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The officials are shown seated inside the pavilion, while boats traveling along the river are intermittently depicted. In the background, mountain ranges recede into the distance, with the farthest peaks faintly rendered in pale blue. Bamboo and plum blossoms are painted to the left and right of the participant list—an element characteristic of this composition.