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Portrait of Buddhist Monk Samyeongdang (Yujeong) in Donghwasa Temple, Daegu

대구 동화사 사명당 유정 진영 ( 大邱 桐華寺 泗溟堂 惟政 眞影 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Portrait of Buddhist Monk Samyeongdang (Yujeong) in Donghwasa Temple, Daegu
Quantity 1
Designated Date 2006.12.29
Age before 1796
Address Donghwasa Temple 41, Palgongsan-ro 201-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu

Buddhist Monk Yujeong (1544-1610), also known as Samyeongdang, led a righteous army against Japanese invaders during the Japanese Invasion in the late 16th century. After the war he negotiated a peace treaty with the Japanese shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu as a royal emissary and secured the repatriation of 3,500 Joseon prisoners of war. This portrait, regarded as the best among some dozen portraits of the renowned monk handed down in Korea today, well represents his powerful and dignified character. His face, rendered with the outlining technique, looks gentle but his eyes betray the shrewdness with which he led many battles as a commander of monk army. The robust torso and long beard also stand for his gallantry. The monk is seated cross-legged on a chair with a tall back, in a three-quarter view from left, holding a whisk in his right hand, which is placed on his knees. The elegant grayish-white robe is described with simple outlines in contrast with the gorgeous red shawl with elaborate patterns. At lower left is a colophon with the zodiac date, Byeongjin Year, which indicates the portrait was painted in 1796 at the latest.