Kang Sehwang was a high government official but also a representative painter, calligrapher and art critic of the mid Joseon period. He was born in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, the son of Kang Hyŏn. He entered royal service at over sixty years old. Kang pursued and established muninhwa with his own creativity. He helped to develop the 'true view' style of painting and was a teacher of Kim Hongdo.