(18th century)

Four Maritime Scenes with British Shipping, with fine, elaborate chinoiserie borders, unsigned, gouache with gilt highlights on fine laid paper, 11-1/2 x 15-1/4 in.; matching gilt wood frames, 14 x 17-1/2 in.

Provenance: Property Deaccessioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia; all proceeds to benefit the Collections Acquisitions FundNote:

By the beginning of the eighteenth century, painted folding fans were increasingly popular throughout Europe. Painted largely in France, Holland and England, they were also being imported from Asia by the East India companies from these countries. All four paintings are associated stylistically with fan leaves which often featured ornate chinoiserie borders forming a cartouche with a central scene. It is possible to think that these may have been commissioned by a distinguished person, perhaps someone associated with maritime trade. The British ships are represented with Blue Union Jack flags that date beginning in 1707 and into the 18th century. The compositions are reminiscent of works by Peter Monamy and Francis Swaine.

 

 

 

lined with mulberry paper, hinged in, restorations of tears with related retouch