Portrait of Prince Yeoning (later King Yeongjo)

This portrait of King Yeongjo (r. 1724-1776) was painted when he was a 21-year-old prince, upon the order of King Sukjong. The portrait was kept at the residence palace of the prince, Jangbogak, the Pavilion of Storing Records in Changuigung Palace (Palace of Conspicuous Justice), then moved to the main palace, Taenyeongjeon Hall, Hall of Great Peace in Gyeonghuigung Palace (Palace of Serene Harmony) after he ascended the throne, and then relocated again to Seonwonjeon Hall, Hall of Royal Portraits in Changdeokgung Palace (Palace of Illustrious Virtue) during King Jeongjo’s reign. In this portrait, Prince Yeoning is wearing official attire, including black hat, and green robe with curved collar and a numinous lion rank square. His outfit followed the general format of portraits of merit-subject, yet this portrait differs from a portrait of a servant by elevating the sitter’s status by detailing the badge in gold foil and splendidly coloring it with gold. This portrait is the only remaining example which a prince of Joseon Dynasty, wearing official attire, sat for.