Master portraitist and court painter of the Dohwaseo under King Jeongjo; pen name Hwasangwan
| Life | 1756 ~ 1813 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 개성 이씨 |
Yi Myeong-gi (李命基, 1756-1813) was a late-Joseon painter of the Gaeseong Yi clan with the pen name Hwasangwan (華山館). He served as a court painter at the Dohwaseo, reaching the rank of sagwa, and is regarded as the finest portraitist of his day. His father Yi Jong-su was also a Dohwaseo painter, and his father-in-law was the court painter Kim Eung-hwan.
He is said to have served as chief painter responsible for the drawing in the 1791 portrait of King Jeongjo in the wonyugwan form. The Unity News profile of the clan dates the king's portrait to 1796, so the year differs by source. His landscapes strongly reflect the style of Kim Hong-do, and it is judged that they lack a distinct individuality.
His representative works include the Portrait of Seo Jik-su, Viewing a Waterfall and Landscape with Figures (National Museum of Korea), Reading under a Pine (Horim Museum), Boating with a Sail (Ewha Womans University Museum), the Portrait of Heo Mok (Treasure No. 1509, Chuncheon National Museum), and the Portrait of Hong Ga-sin (South Chungcheong Cultural Heritage Material No. 404). Portraits of Gang Se-hwang and Yu Eon-ho are also attributed to him.
His father Yi Jong-su was a Dohwaseo painter and sagwa, and his father-in-law Kim Eung-hwan was also a court painter. With no children, he adopted Yi In-sik, the son of his brother Yi Myeong-gyu.
In 1791 he was chief painter responsible for the drawing of King Jeongjo's portrait. His Portrait of Heo Mok is Treasure No. 1509, and he left portraits of scholar-officials such as Gang Se-hwang, Yu Eon-ho and Seo Jik-su.
The location of his grave was not confirmed here.
Having no children, he adopted Yi In-sik, son of his younger brother Yi Myeong-gyu.