Kim was a member of the
Gimhae Kim clan. He grew up in present-day
Ansan, South Korea. At the age of 7, Kim Hongdo studied under the renowned master Pyoam
Kang Sehwang, who was then living in seclusion in Ansan. In 1766, at the age of 21, on the recommendation of Kang Sehwang, he entered the royal service as a member (hwawon) of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court. In 1771, he painted the portrait of the Royal Heir (the future King Jeongjo). In 1773, he assisted
Byeon Sang-byeok when painting the Royal Portrait of King
Yeongjo (1694–1724–1776). In 1776, he painted the "Nineteen Taoist Immortals", that skyrocketed his reputation as a painter. At the same time, the new instated King
Jeongjo (1752–1776–1800) commissioned him for many institutional paintings. He died in loneliness and poverty, though the circumstances, and even the year are unknown. Depending on the source, some state that he died in 1806, or after 1814. ==Legacy==