Smith & Singer
Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design
164

A large painting of a mother and child 19th/20th century

Estimate $15,000 – $25,000

JUMP TO LOT +



Alternate Views

oil on canvas, depicting the young mother lying on one side nursing her infant son, her right hand raised supporting her head, the left resting on the child's leg, wearing a blue diaphanous robe over a pair of sheer deep pink trousers revealing her small bound feet in silk 'lotus' slippers, her face with porcelain like complexion and eyes in a direct gaze with a slight smile, her female attendant seated behind. all enclosed within blue draped curtains
65 x 102 cm

Show Catalogue Notes

Catalogue Notes

A painting of this subject from the Property of Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, dated to the Qing dynasty circa 1870, was sold at Sotheby's, New York, 15 September 2015, described as one of a rare group of large scale paintings of intimate domestic scenes in Chinese art. The fine and early versions of this scene were very popular and may have served as prototypes for several versions on canvas and glass painted during the late 19th and early 20th century. Paintings of idealized beauties epitomised the thriving courtesan culture in Qing society. A glimpse into the secretive woman's world was an appealing subject matter commissioned initially by members of the wealthy mercantile class and later by Westerners who admired their exoticism.

Condition Report

The painting has been stripped lined and put onto a new stretcher. There is some puckering to the canvas most noticeably at the upper edge which is consistent with the new edged lining. There is a vertical indent transversing the canvas which is consistent with the former stretcher. The painting appears to have been cleaned and revarnished recently.

Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's Australia is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Saleroom Notices regarding this sale. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS.

CONTACT INFORMATION +

Specialists

Alison Alford

Alison Alford

Consultant

Arts & Design
Sydney
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Alison Alford

Brett Ballard

Brett Ballard

Senior Specialist

Australian & International Art
Sydney
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Brett Ballard
       

Fiona Hayward

Fiona Hayward

Senior Specialist

Australian & International Art
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Fiona Hayward

Anthony Hurl

Anthony Hurl

Consultant

Arts & Design
Adelaide
T: +61 (0)8 7225 7836
E: Anthony Hurl
       

Ann Roberts

Ann Roberts

Consultant, Asian Art

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Ann Roberts

Geoffrey Smith

Geoffrey Smith

Chairman

Australian & International Art
Melbourne  |  Sydney
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Geoffrey Smith
Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design

AU0810  |  25 Oct 2016  |  Sydney
6 pm


We use our own and third party cookies to enable you to navigate around our Site, use its features and engage on social media, and to allow us to perform analytics, remember your preferences, provide services that you have requested and produce content and advertisements tailored to your interests, both on our Site as well as others. For more information, or to learn how to change your cookie or marketing preferences, please see our updated Privacy Policy & Cookie Policy.

By continuing to use our Site, you consent to our use of cookies and to the practices described in our updated Privacy Policy.

CONTINUE