Originally painted on silk in the 18th century, ‘Portrait of a Beauty’ is one of Korea’s most famous works of art. The artist, Shin Yun Bok, was well-renowned during the Joseon Dynasty for painting realistic life scenes. This masterpiece depicts an unknown Kisaeng (courtesan), believed to have been the artist’s muse.
The Josean Era was widely considered to be the golden age of Korean art. It coincides with the collapse of the Ming Dynasty which led to the decrease in Chinese influence on Korean culture.