Jeong Seon

Jeong Seon
Detail from Taking a rest after reading books by Jeong Seon, believed to be a self-portrait of the painter.
Native name	정선
Born	(1676-02-16)16 February 1676 (modern-day) Cheongun-dong, 89-11, , Jongno-gu, Hanseong-bu, Kingdom of Joseon
Died	20 April 1759(1759-04-20) (aged 83) (modern-day) Cheongun-dong, 89-11, , Jongno-gu, Hanseong-bu, Kingdom of Joseon
Nationality	Korean
Known for	Painting, drawing
Notable work	Inwangjesaekdo Geumgang jeondo
Movement	landscape painting

Jeong Seon (Korean: 정선) (1676–1759) was a Korean landscape painter, also known by his pen name Kyomjae ("humble study"). His works include ink and oriental water paintings, such as Inwangjesaekdo (1751), Geumgang jeondo (1734), and Ingokjeongsa (1742), as well as numerous "true-view" landscape paintings on the subject of Korea and the history of its culture. He is counted among the most famous Korean painters. The landscape paintings that he produced reflect most of the geographical features of Korea. His style is realistic rather than abstract.

Jeong was born in the Jongno District of Seoul, in the Cheongun-dong neighborhood, in 1676. Unlike most painters of the time, he was not born into a wealthy family, but a poor yangban family. The eldest son of Jeong shi-ik (1638–1689), Jeong was born on the third day of the first lunar month in 1676 (equivalent to February 16 in the Gregorian calendar). He was a descendant of illustrious and gentry families. His family originally came from Kwangju. Jeong's cha was Wonbaek and his ho was Nangok. His best known pen name is Kyomjae, which he chose himself.

The poverty he experienced in his youth made him pursue his career as a painter. He was proficient at Zhou-I and astronomy, which he learned while serving as a Geomgyosu (兼敎授; professor extraordinaire). He worked at the Bureau of Painting creating landscapes for patrons and clients. In March 1716, at age 41, he started his tenure at a Geomgyosu of Gwansanggam (觀象監, Office for Observance of Natural Phenomena).

He was discovered by an aristocratic neighbour who recommended him to the court. He soon gained an official position. Jeong is said to have painted daily, with a prolific output until old age. He died on the 24th day of the third lunar month in 1759 (equivalent to April 20 in the Gregorian calendar).

Jeong was one of the most famous Korean painters. He inspired other Korean artists to follow suit, leaving a lasting impact on Korean art of the Joseon era. He was the most eminent painter in the late Joseon Dynasty (1700–1850). Jeong explored the scenic beauty of the capital city of Hanyang (Seoul), the Han River, the East Sea (Sea of Japan), and the Diamond Mountain. He is the first painter of true-view Korean landscapes. Differing from earlier techniques and traditional Chinese styles, he created a new style of painting depicting the virtues of Korea.