Screen with European Figures (obverse) and Landscape (reverse) with Stand

1736–95

China, Beijing palace workshops, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Qianlong reign

(1736-1795)

Medium

painted enamel, glass painting, and cast-iron stand

Measurements

Painting only: 35.7 x 32.4 cm (14 1/16 x 12 3/4 in.); height with stand: 65.8 cm (25 7/8 in.); screen only: 44.3 x 47.6 x 1.5 cm (17 7/16 x 18 3/4 x 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.243

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Location

240B Chinese Decorative Arts(not visible)

Did You Know?

The screen is balanced on a heavy cast-iron base.

Description

On the obverse side of this two-sided table screen is an enamel-painted copper plaque with European figures. The image is probably derived from prints. European enamelware was introduced to China through missionary-artists at the Beijing court and foreign trade in Guangzhou.

On the reverse side is a glass painting of architectural landscape in the Chinese style. At the Qing court, imperial commands made possible artistic collaboration and the incorporation of different artistic expressions in a single artwork.