윤두서 尹斗緖
Late Joseon painter of the National Treasure self-portrait; courtesy name Hyoeon, pen name Gongjae
| Life | 1668 ~ 1715 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 해남 윤씨 |
Life & career
Yun Du-seo (1668-1715) was a late Joseon scholar-painter of the Haenam Yun clan, courtesy name Hyoeon and pen name Gongjae. He was a great-grandson of Yun Seon-do; born the fourth son of Yun I-hu, he was registered as son of the senior-line heir Yun I-seok. His mother was a daughter of Sim Gwang-sa of Cheongsong and his wife was a great-granddaughter of Yi Su-gwang. His sons included Yun Deok-hui and Yun Deok-ryeol; Deok-ryeol's daughter Yun So-on married Jeong Jae-won, and their descendants include Jeong Yak-jeon, Jeong Yak-jong and Jeong Yak-yong.
He was versed in Confucianism, astronomy and geography, mathematics and military strategy, and this practical attitude is said to have become family tradition. He passed the jinsa examination at 26 but, with factional strife intense, did not take office and devoted himself to poetry, calligraphy and painting. He excelled at figures, plants and animals. From an interest in geomancy he drew pictorial maps such as the Dongguk Yeoji Jido and a map of Japan, and he is regarded as a pioneer of the Southern-school manner through works like the Gossi Hwabo and the Tangsi Hwabo.
His best-known works include the self-portrait (National Treasure No. 240), the Old Monk, landscapes, "White Horse under Willows", the woman gathering greens and the old man weaving sandals; his portrait of Sim Deuk-gyeong is Treasure No. 1488. He is counted with Sim Sa-jeong and Jeong Seon as one of the "Three Jae". The self-portrait is kept at Nokudang in Haenam, which also holds an album of paintings by Du-seo, his son Deok-hui and grandson Yong. He died at Yeondong in Haenam.
The Self-Portrait
The self-portrait was designated a National Treasure in 1987 and is kept at Nokudang. Centered on the face, it is often cited as a leading example of late Joseon realism.
Three Generations of Painters
The style continued through his son Yun Deok-hui and grandson Yun Yong, and in 2014 the Gwangju National Museum held a special exhibition on the three generations for the 300th anniversary of his death. See the Haenam Yun page.
Grave
His tomb was not confirmed. He died at Yeondong, Haenam.
Descendants
His sons were the painter Yun Deok-hui and Yun Deok-ryeol; Jeong Yak-jeon, Jeong Yak-jong and Jeong Yak-yong descend through a daughter line.