Portrait of the Great Master Yeongwoldang Eungjin1700s · Study 1990.16

Context from the museum

The monk in this portrait, identified by an inscription in a red cartouche at the upper right of this painting, is the Great Master Yeongwoldang Eungjin. Portraits of this type, painted following the death of an important Buddhist monk, are known as jinyeong. His elevated status is indicated by his fine monastic garments, the dragon-headed ceremonial fly whisk he holds in his left hand, and the Buddhist scripture in his right hand. The writing box on his desk, with brushes, ink stone, and water dropper, further emphasizes his prowess as a man of deep insight into the Buddhist teachings.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

In East Asian Buddhist temples, portraits of Buddhist monks are housed in special dedicated halls as icons of spiritual ancestors to the community of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting only measurement for Portrait of the Great Master Yeongwoldang Eungjin is 79.2 cm wide and 114.4 cm high, equivalent to approximately 31.2 × 45.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.69:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.91 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 26.4% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 110.4 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Portrait of the Great Master Yeongwoldang Eungjin in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 79.2 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?