Sunjong's Death Centennial: Portrait from His Crown Prince Years Unveiled for the First Time

National Palace Museum of Korea opens exhibition to mark 100th anniversary of Sunjong's death
Gojong's grand marshal's formal uniform, recreated over more than a year, also unveiled

To mark the 100th anniversary of Emperor Sunjong’s death, a portrait of him from his Crown Prince years will be shown to the public for the first time. Starting November 13, the National Palace Museum of Korea will open an exhibition in the Korean Empire Gallery on the first floor of its permanent exhibition hall, featuring two royal portraits and related artifacts that trace Sunjong’s life.

Portrait of Emperor Sunjong (as Crown Prince) / National Palace Museum of Korea.

Sunjong was the second and last emperor of the Korean Empire. He succeeded Gojong, who was forced to abdicate by Japan in 1907, but was stripped of his governing authority as the Japanese-installed Residency-General effectively took control of domestic affairs. After the Korean Empire was forcibly annexed by Japan in 1910, he was demoted to King Yi and spent his later years at Changdeokgung Palace.

The exhibition presents two royal portraits depicting Sunjong during his Crown Prince years and his reign as emperor. The portrait from his Crown Prince years, a portrait study, was produced in 1902 along with a portrait of Emperor Gojong to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Gojong’s accession to the throne, and was enshrined at Pungnyeongung Palace in Pyongyang. About half of it, including the title, was lost in a fire that occurred after the Korean War, but the floral mat pattern, furniture, and clothing provide clues to when it was made.

The portrait from Sunjong’s years as emperor depicts him wearing a yellow imperial robe and seated on a yellow ceremonial chair. The right half was lost in the fire. The portrait was produced in 1928, after his death, and enshrined at Sinseonwonjeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace. Kim Eunho painted Sunjong’s face using a photograph as a reference.

The exhibition will also present portrait photographs of Sunjong as Crown Prince and emperor. The museum said, “Photographs began introducing the emperor and Crown Prince of the Korean Empire to the public. Reproduced and distributed through various print media, they influenced the formation of public consciousness.”

Portrait of Emperor Sunjong in a Yellow Dragon Robe / National Palace Museum of Korea.

Artifacts related to Gojong will also be newly displayed in the Korean Empire Gallery. As head of the Ministry of National Defense, established in 1899, Gojong wore the uniform of a grand marshal, but his appearance in it is known only through photographs. A full set of grand marshal’s formal attire, recreated over more than a year based on a photograph, will be on display.

The permanent exhibition hall is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except on the last Monday of each month.

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