Portrait of Scholar-Official Yun Bonggu (1681-1767) in his Seventieth Year, Byeon Sang-byeok (Korea, 1725-1775), Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), dated 1750. Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk. Image: 119.38 x 90.17 cm; Mount: 194.31 x 110.49 cm; Roller: 111.13 cm. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Purchased with Museum Funds (M.2000.15.17).

Scholar-Officials (sadaebu or sonbi) represent the highly educated ruling class that emerged during the Choson dynasty (1392-1910) as the founder, Yi Songgye (133–1408) adopted Neo-Confucianism-the modified teachings of the early Chinese philosopher Confucius (about 552–479 B.C.E) to establish new principles for Korean governance. Implementing a competitive Confucian examination system to select civil servants, early Choson kings created a class of government officials who were familiar with Chinese and Korean historical and literary classics. This new class, also called yangban (literally two divisions, reflecting the civil or military assignments they received), challenged aristocratic families that had monopolized power during the Koryo period and redirected the course of Korean history and art history.

- June Li, Curator, Chinese and Korean Art, (2002)

Portrait of a Scholar-Official in a Pink Robe, Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), 19th century. Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk. Image: 118.75 x 53.98 cm; Mount: 176.21 x 63.18 cm)m; Roller: 71.12 cm. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Purchased with Museum Funds (M.2000.15.19).

Portrait of a Meritorious Subject, Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), 18th century. Hanging scroll mounted as a panel, ink and color on silk. Image: 155.58 x 99.06 cm! Mount: 161.29 x 103.5 cm. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Purchased with Museum Funds (M.2000.15.15).

Portrait of Scholar-official Robe, Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), 19th century. Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk. Image: 134.62 x 77.79 cm; Mount: 173.99 x 84.14 cm; Roller: 91.44 cm. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Purchased with Museum Funds (M.2000.15.18).