Painting, Fan-leaf interior of a Chinese shop, possibly Dutch School, ca. 1680-1700

The interior of a shop dealing in Chinese export goods, including ceramics, paintings and furniture, enlarged from a fan leaf, extended and mounted on panel; figures dressed in Persian and Chinese costumes; more shop in the background

Given by Sir William Lawrence, Bt

Given by Sir William Lawrence, Bt

This painting was originally the painted leaf of a fan, but was later adapted to become a small framed painting. The leaf was stuck down on a rectangular wooden panel, and the image was extended to the corners. The scene represents the interior of a Chinese shop. The display of a fantastic profusion of luxury goods including lacquers, furniture, Chinese porcelain and redwares, Indian chintzes and Persian paintings as well as small ivory devotional sculptures, suggests that this shop is probably imaginary.

The depiction of female shoppers in a mix of Turkish or Persian costume further supports such interpretation. In addition this range of objects in different media suggests that the shop must be a European fantasy as these objects would not have been sold together in China for example. The accuracy with which the wares themselves are represented however implies that the artist was familiar with these kind of objects.

The peculiar perspective which shows a distortion in the proportions in order to make visible a maximum of objects is reminiscent of Netherlandish paintings depicting collectors cabinets such as the ones developed by Frans Francken II (1581-1642) in the early 17th century. A thesis further supported by the fact that the painting seems to imitate other Dutch fans of the period. It has been therefore proposed that this painting may represent a loose depiction of an importer’s shop in a European centre such as Amsterdam.

This painting was originally made as a fan leaf which has been later extended to create a small-scale painting. It depicts an imaginary shop dealing in Chinese export goods including a wide range of objects. The distorted perspective and the fantastic mix of goods are reminiscent features of Netherlandish paintings showing collectors’ cabinet in the 17th century.

P.35-1926