19th-CENTURY CHINESE PAINTING OF COURT LADIES WITH CALIGRAPHY

c.1850-1890. A finely executed 19th-century Chinese painting depicting two elegantly attired women strolling through a tranquil garden landscape, rendered in delicate mineral pigments on paper. The figures are beautifully portrayed in flowing robes of soft green, red, and pale pink, their graceful movement enhanced by subtle line work and gentle coloration. To the upper left appears a vertical calligraphic inscription accompanied by a red seal, presenting a lyrical verse describing the scene: richly dressed figures wandering in springtime, their garments stirring in the breeze as laughter drifts softly through the garden air. Such inscriptions were integral to Chinese painting, merging poetry, painting, and calligraphy into a unified artistic expression. Artwork in Good condition. The surface shows areas of age-related wear, including scattered pigment loss and oxidation consistent with mineral-based colors, all of which attest to its authenticity and age. Presented in an attractive later gilt frame measuring 24in. x 28in. Shelved at Dupont.

1410577

Shelved Dupont Bookstore

Price: $1,250

NOTES

Executed in a manner consistent with late Qing dynasty (circa 1850–1900) export or atelier work, the painting reflects both traditional Chinese aesthetics and a decorative sensibility that appealed to Western collectors of the period.