Illustration of Tributary Missions

This is an illustration of envoys from various countries paying tribute to an emperor. This type of painting started to appear in 629, when Yan Shigu, Minister of the Office of General Administration of Tang China, made a proposal to Emperor Taizong to depict tributary missions in paintings. The title “Illustration of Tributary Missions” was derived from the chapter on tributary missions from the Lost Book of Zhou. As Joseon never received tributes from other countries even after it proclaimed itself as the Great Han Empire, this painting is considered a reflection of Joseon’s admiration of the imperial glory and splendor of China.