A Victorian Polychrome painted turquoise porcelain plaque titled "Charity" after Jan Van Eycken, mid 19th century, in the Sevres taste and of circular form centering nicely painted maiden peasant beauties in a wheat field clearing attending to a large brood of scantily attired infants enclosed by a parcel gilt trim and border flanking a turquoise ground band, reversing to an underside with overglaze puce title, unsigned, within a conforming velvet matted and elaborately carved giltwood frame. Plaque Diameter: 12" Frame: 21" x 17" =============================== About Painter : Van Eycken was born at Brussels, Belgium. He was the son of Corneille van Eycken and Elise Cordemans, and as a boy was employed in commercial pursuits, but from 1829, when his father died, he gave himself over entirely to the study of art. In 1830 he studied at the Academy of Brussels under Francois-Joseph Navez and Paul Delaroche, in 1835 gained an important prize with high distinctions, and four years afterwards was appointed professor of drawing and painting. In 1838 he went to Italy, returning in 1839 and assuming his professorship. In that year he exhibited his great picture of Divine Pity (La clmence divine), which was warmly received and brought him a gold medal and a high position in the Soci des Beaux Arts de France. In 1840 he married Julie who died on 11 February 1843. He himself died at Schaerbeek eleven years later, at the age of 45.