Career
Byeon is famous for his precise depictions on animals and people in detailed brushwork. His courtesy name (ja) is Wanbo and pen name (ho) is Hwajae. His birth and death dates are unknown, but was active in the mid 18th century during King Sukjong"s (r1674–1720) and King Yeongjo"s reign (r 1724-1776).
Byeon was praised for his excellent depictions of animals and people.
He served as a royal painter of Dohwaseo, the office of painting and then as a hyeongam, a magistrate of a small province. According to the book titled Jinhui sokgo (震彙續攷), Byeon Sang-byeok was especially excellent at depicting cats and chicken, so he gained nicknames like Byeon Goyang (transport Byeon Cat) and Byeon Dak (Byeon Rooster).
In addition, the book says that Byeon was famous for drawing portraits too, so he was also referred as Guksu (國手, a first class artisan) of the time, and his portrait works are over 100 pieces. Though, one of his extant portraits, the portrait of Yun Geup, an officer, does not show his excellent skills.
He participated in drawing the portraits of King Yeongjo in 1763 and 1773.
