Artwork
Cho Jae-ho from Punhyang Cho Family
Cho Jae-ho from Punhyang Cho Family is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a portrait of a bearded man rendered in a formal, dignified manner.
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait of a bearded man rendered in a formal, dignified manner. He wears a tall, black, curved‑brim hat and a light‑coloured robe secured with a wide belt. The background consists of a uniform gold field, and Chinese characters frame the composition on either side.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears to be a member of the Punhyang Cho family, identified by the inscription. The presence of the elaborate hat and robe suggests a status of scholarly or official rank, while the small object tucked into the belt may indicate a personal token or professional tool, hinting at the individual’s role or identity.
Technique & Style
Executed with careful brushwork, the portrait displays soft gradations of tone on the face, giving a three‑dimensional quality. The gold background provides a flat, luminous surface that contrasts with the detailed rendering of the clothing and facial features, characteristic of East Asian portraiture of the period.
History & Provenance
The painting is catalogued under the title “Cho Jae‑ho from Punhyang Cho Family.” It is part of a collection that includes similar works, and it has been documented by the Cleveland Museum of Art, indicating its inclusion in a broader corpus of Korean portraiture.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
