Artwork
Portrait of an Official
Portrait of an Official is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The dignified posture and composed expression convey authority and the responsibilities of the sitter within the state apparatus.
The work portrays a Korean government official, simply titled "official," rendered in the early‑19th‑century portrait tradition. His formal attire and the subtle insignia of office signal bureaucratic rank, emphasizing the significance of civil service in the society that produced the piece. The dignified posture and composed expression convey authority and the responsibilities of the sitter within the state apparatus.
As part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, the portrait offers insight into the visual representation of administrative power in Korea during the 1820s.
Technique & Style
The work titled Portrait of an Official is categorized as a painting from 1820, produced in Korea by an anonymous artist. As a painting, it utilizes pigment applied to a support, situating it within the medium of visual art. The composition follows conventional portraiture of the period, presenting a formal likeness of a governmental figure.
The piece is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection (accession 1999.45) and is documented as depicting an official. No specific details regarding the support material, handling history, or current condition are provided in the source records.
History & Provenance
Portrait of an Official was produced in Korea in 1820 by an anonymous painter. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number CMA 1999.45. The sources do not provide details on the chain of prior ownership, the circumstances of its acquisition by the museum, or any commission history.
Overview
This painting, titled "Portrait of an Official," depicts a male figure seated in a formal setting. The subject is presented with a long beard and a serious expression, wearing a long pink robe, a dark belt, and a black hat. He occupies a fur-trimmed chair, positioned against a patterned background with a floor resembling woven mats, conveying a sense of dignity and importance.
Context
The immediate environment surrounding the official reinforces his formal portrayal. He is situated against a background featuring distinct patterned designs, which adds a decorative quality to the space. The floor, depicted as woven mats, grounds the figure within a structured interior.
These elements contribute to the overall solemnity and formality of the portrait, framing the sitter in an appropriate manner.
Artist & collection
