(b Yong’in, Kyonggi Province, 1783; d c. 1839). Korean painter. He was born into an impoverished noble household and was active in the later Choson period (1392–1910). Because of his father’s early death he became a self-taught professional painter in order to make a living. As a member of the Bureau of Painting and a royal portrait painter, he restored the portrait of King T’aejo (reg 1392–8), founder of the dynasty. In accordance with the practice of appointing court painters to military posts, Yi became a military official near Haeju, Hwanghae Province. Although he was a professional painter from the age of about 20, he associated closely with such middle-class literati painters as Cho Hui-ryong and was profoundly influenced by their literary circles. Up to his early thirties he mainly followed the Chinese Southern school but later moved towards the distinctive styles of Yi In-sang and Yun Che-hong. He established his own method of combining to excellent effect a simple structure with the tones of Chinese ink and a light colour. His later style of painting won the praise of the artist and connoisseur Kim Chong-hui, whose student he became. He enjoyed dealing with such subject-matter as landscape scenes and portraits. His portrait of Kang Yi-o (b 1788), grandson of Kang Se-hwang (hanging scroll, 639 mm, ink and colours on silk; Seoul, N. Mus.; see 1984 exh. cat., pl. 247), carries an inscription by Kim Chong-hui commending Yi’s skills. Other examples of Yi’s work are Plantain and Poem and Figure under a Pine Tree (both Seoul, N. Mus.; see 1984 exh. cat., pl. 254, for an illustration of the latter painting) and an album of scenes painted in 1837 (priv. col.).

• Yi Chae-gwan
  • Rochussen, Charles