IN THE STYLE OF JIAO BINGZHENG (ACTIVE CA. 1689-1726)

Description:

China, ca. 18th c.
je 118 x 38,5 cm
Four panels on hardboard, under glass, ink and colours on silk. Signature by the artist: “Respectfully painted by your servant Jiao Bingzen (chen Jiao Bingzhen gong hui).” One double seal of the artist: “Bing”, “Zhen.”
Former old German private collection, acquired prior to 2007
Jiao Bingzhen was from Jining in Shandong province and became a famous court painter during the Kangxi reign (1662-1722). He specialized in architecture and figure painting using Western perspective and chiaroscuro which he learned from the European painters at court. He was especially known for his genre painting depicting ordinary people or elegant ladies engaging in their work or pastime activities. The ladies in these four panels are shown playing games, drinking tea, doing embroidery or watching a crane dancing. They are all painted very fine in the meticulous style with lively faces and garments in rich colors.
Partial damage due to age