Where can I see Portrait of an imperial censor and his wife?

Portrait of an imperial censor and his wife is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of an imperial censor and his wife?

Portrait of an imperial censor and his wife is associated with Joseon dynasty painting.

Artwork

Portrait of an imperial censor and his wife

Portrait of an imperial censor and his wife is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1833 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting depicts an imperial censor and his wife seated formally within an interior space.

About this work

Overview

Behind them, a decorative screen unfolds with detailed landscape imagery, creating a sense of depth and an expansive backdrop to the intimate scene.

This painting depicts an imperial censor and his wife seated formally within an interior space. The couple, dressed in elaborate blue and gold garments, occupies a raised platform. Behind them, a decorative screen unfolds with detailed landscape imagery, creating a sense of depth and an expansive backdrop to the intimate scene. A white crane stands prominently in the foreground, adding a symbolic element to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork portrays its subjects, an imperial censor and his spouse, in a setting rich with cultural significance. Their vibrant robes, adorned with gold, suggest their high status. The folding screen behind them, featuring mountains, trees, and rivers, functions as a visual metaphor, hinting at a world beyond the immediate domestic scene.

The inclusion of a white crane, traditionally associated with good fortune, further imbues the portrait with auspicious symbolism.

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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