Scholar under Pine Tree, Ji Unyeong

Ji Unyeong painted during the tumultuous period of transition from the end of the imperial Joseon dynasty (1392–1897) to the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910–1945). Here Ji depicts himself as Tao Yuanming (circa 356–427 CE), a famous Chinese poet and court official who left government service to live out his life as a recluse. The inscription quotes Tao’s poem “Peach Blossom Spring,” which seems to envelop Ji as he stares thoughtfully into the distance.

Ji Unyeong painted during the tumultuous period of transition from the imperial Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), through the shortlived Korean Empire (1897–1910), and in the period of Japanese colonial occupation (1910–1945). In 1886, Ji orchestrated one of many failed assassination attempts of the court official Kim Okgyun (1851–1894), who, despite being an advocate of Western-based reforms and advancements in science, also sought closer ties with Japan. In 1895, imperial opposition to Japanese involvement in Korea was silenced with the assassination of Empress Myeongseong (called Queen Min, 1851–1895). For his support of the Queen, Ji was exiled and forced to live out his life as a hermit.
In this painting, Ji depicts himself as Tao Yuanming, a famous fifthcentury
Chinese poet and court official who dropped out of society in protest. The finely brushed inscription that quotes Tao’s poetry seems to envelop Ji, who pensively stares into the distance.