studio of GIUSEPPE CASTIGLIONE (Italian/Chinese 1688-1766) A TAOIST PAINTING, "Ancestor Portrait of a Lady," ATTRIBUTED TO THE YONGZHENG PERIOD (1723-1725), parcel gilt and watercolor on paper. 47" x 31 1/2" Note: The portrait of the wealthy lady sitter is painted in the imperial court style; she exhibits a stoic gaze, with an elevated sitting position, and there is no accouterment in the background. The lady's hair is delicately fragrant, adorned with flowers and gold pins. She wears lapis lazuli, yellow gold, and green apple jade earrings. Her "old world" Ming-style collar is centered by double gourd stylized gold buttons, above a ruyi mushroom form gold brooch closing a wide blue and white peony motif collar. Her long, wide sleeves end with fluttering butterflies on a cream ground. The insects perch on legendary pink and blue peonies. She wears a Qing dynasty-style pleated skirt. The unusual combination of both Ming and Qing dynasty styles is subtle, but reveals the transitional taste in Chinese fashion during the early Qing dynasty. At her back, a cinnabar red ground textile is embroidered with eight Taoist auspicious symbols amongst celestial swirls, above a jade green ground gilt couched thread embroidered silk fabric panel ending with petal edge. She sits on a figured salmon pink marble lined throne chair carved with swirling smoke clouds and once again, peonies. Her countenance is eternally severe and her presentation epitomizes Qing court portraiture style originally cultivated by the Jesuit missionary, Giuseppe Castiglione. The Italian artist painted for three important emperors during the early Qing Dynasty; the emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. Provenance: From the Estate of James Hayden, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Some minor losses, fading of paint, a loss at brooch center, pasted down to support, toning, and age, overall in good condition, wear commensurate with age. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."