채용신 蔡龍臣
Portrait painter who painted the portrait of Emperor Gojong; pen names Seokji and Seokgang
| Life | 1850 ~ 1941 |
| Era | 조선 후기~일제강점기 |
| Clan | 평강 채씨 |
Life & career
Chae Yong-sin (1850-1941) was a late Joseon portrait painter of the Pyeonggang seat, with pen names Seokji and Seokgang, who reached the senior second rank. He painted landscapes, figures and animals well but excelled in portraits. He served as naval commander at Busanjin in 1893 and at Dolsanjin in 1896.
In 1900 he painted royal portraits of Taejo, Sukjong, Yeongjo, Jeongjo, Sunjo and Heonjong, and in 1901 that of Gojong, who gave him the name Seokgang; he was posted as magistrate of Chilgok, North Gyeongsang, and in 1905 of Jeongsan, South Chungcheong, resigned in 1906 and settled in Jeolla, painting until 1941, for 35 years.
His early portraits are marked by ultra-fine brushwork on the wrinkles and relief of the face; from the mid-1910s he rendered faces in planes like Western painting. Works include portraits of Choe Chi-won, Choe Ik-hyeon, Jeon U and Hwang Hyeon and the Portrait of Madame Un-nang, many depicting patriots. The photo below is his 1924 self-portrait.
Royal Portraits and Posts
In 1900-1901 he painted portraits of several kings and of Gojong, and served as magistrate of Chilgok and Jeongsan.
Work After Retiring to Jeolla
After resigning in 1906 he painted many portraits in Jeolla over 35 years, several designated as tangible cultural properties. For example the portraits of Yi Deok-eung, Sin Gi-yeong and Jo Byeong-sun are North Jeolla Tangible Cultural Heritage Nos. 224-226.
Style
His style moved from ultra-fine line drawing of the face to Western-like modeling in planes, and works such as the portrait of Hwang Hyeon and Un-nang are noted for showing the sitter's right profile.
Grave
His tomb was not confirmed here. He spent his later years in Jeolla.