18th C.China Trade Painting on Mirror Portrait of Catharina van Braam Houckgeest

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China Trade Painting on Mirror Portrait of Catharina van Braam Houckgeest

This late 18th-century China Trade reverse glass painting on … Read more China Trade Painting on Mirror Portrait of Catharina van Braam Houckgeest

This late 18th-century China Trade reverse glass painting on mirror depicts Catharina van Braam Houckgeest, created for the Dutch and European market during the height of the Chinese export art trade. The finely executed portrait presents Mrs. Catharina Cornelia Geertruida van Braam Houckgeest (née Van Reede van Oudtshoorn) within an oval medallion, held aloft by an allegorical female figure, "De Hoop" (Hope). Draped in flowing garments, De Hoop sits gracefully on a balustrade partially veiled by a richly detailed Persian carpet, enhancing the composition's depth and texture.

This poignant piece carries deep personal and symbolic meaning. When Andreas Everardus van Braam Houckgeest gazed into this mirror while in Canton (Guangzhou), he experienced a fleeting reunion with his wife, Catharina, who had remained behind in the Netherlands. The lower left of the painting features two grieving women mourning a Dutch ship setting sail, reinforcing the themes of separation and longing. Meanwhile, an anchor at the right symbolizes hope, reflecting the optimism of return and reunion despite vast distances.

Below, a sculpted relief on the balustrade portrays a farewell scene, where two women bid adieu to a departing ship. The Latin inscription "Vota Sequuntur Euntem" translates to "Our good wishes accompany he who departs," symbolizing the global reach of the Dutch colonial trade and the personal sacrifices it entailed.

Executed in the highly skilled technique of reverse mirror-glass painting, this work represents the fusion of European portraiture traditions and Chinese artistic craftsmanship, a hallmark of China Trade art from the Qing Dynasty. The painting itself measures 15 inches high by 11 inches wide, housed in an ornate giltwood frame measuring 22 inches high by 18 inches wide and 2 inches deep.

This rare and historically significant artwork would make an exceptional addition to any interior or collection of 18th-century European portraiture, maritime art, or Chinese export trade pieces.

Overall Measurements:
Painting on Mirror Glass: 15 inches high x 11 inches wide

Giltwood Framed: 22 inches high x 18 inches wide x 2 inches deep See less