'A RELAXING DINNER', OIL ON CANVAS, CHINESE SCHOOL, QING DYNASTY Opinion: The remarkably fine detail and the moody character of the scene overall are both proof of the high level achieved by Chinese masters in the mastery of the European oil painting technique shortly after 1800.

China, first half of 19^th century. Finely painted with four men seated at a table with bowls and chopsticks before them, two conversing with each other and making gestures, one picking his teeth with the tip of his long pipe, the eldest looking on from the top of the table, a female servant outside the pavilion holding a tray with cups, the background with willows, pines, and buildings.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Craquelure and old wear, otherwise in good condition with only few minor scattered areas of inpainting (inspected under strong blue light). Laid down on a modern canvas backing.

Dimensions: Size incl. frame 57 x 70.5 cm, Image size 50.5 x 64 cm

With a modern frame. (2)

China trade paintings were created in Asia for export to the Western market. While such works have existed for centuries, the period between the 18th and 19th centuries saw a boom, producing the majority of existing works. This era coincided with a rapid increase in trade between China and the West, fueled by the commercial expansion in southern China and the growth of Hong Kong.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 14 October 2020, lot 171
Price: USD 80,000 or approx. EUR 86,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Chinese school, first half 19^th century, An Official's Family at Leisure, a set of four
Expert remark: Note that the lot comprises four paintings of similar size (51.4 x 65.4 cm).



清代油畫《亭中會友》
中國，十九世紀上半葉，布面油畫。畫中四人圍坐一桌，桌上擺著酒菜碗筷，幾個人顯然正在暢談，一人抽著煙斗。庭外來了一位端著茶杯的侍女。繪畫精美細緻，近處亭臺棧欄，背景可見岸邊柳樹、松樹和房屋。

專家注釋：人物的著色已出現明暗對比和光影處理。畫中的人物，其五官與服飾，有著濃厚的東方情調。而遠景中景近景刻畫層次分明，可見中國畫家在1800年以後已能精準地掌握歐洲油畫精隨。

來源：法國古玩交易市場。
品相：油彩產生龜紋，有磨損，品相總體良好，只有少量輕微修補（在強藍光下檢查）。鋪設在現代帆布襯底上。

尺寸：總57 x 70.5 厘米，畫面50.5 x 64 厘米

現代木框。

在十八世紀下半葉到十九世紀中葉，由於外貿通商的環境和形勢，形成了以廣州十三行為代表的外銷畫現象，從廣州傳到香港、上海等地，然後這些外銷油畫則主要銷往歐洲，後也及至美國。這樣就使得清代外銷油畫目前主要被歐美的公私藏家收藏。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2020年10月14日，lot 171
價格：USD 80,000（相當於今日EUR 86,000）
描述：十九世紀上半葉中國油畫閒暇時的官員家庭
專家評論：請注意此組油畫有四幅，且尺寸相近 (51.4 x 65.4 厘米)。