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Lot Essay
See Dr. P. Biesboer, China-Delft-Europa chinoiseries, catalogue exhibition Het Prinsenhof, Delft, 5 June-15 August 1976, for a discussion about the influence of Chinoiserie decorations in Europe whereby Holland was paramount in promoting this fashion.
Jan Huygen van Linschoten gathered first-hand information through his multiple contacts in the Spanish-Portuguese colony of Goa. Furthermore he knew the works by Juan de Mendoza (1585), and he used this information for his own journey (1595-1596).
An important publication was written by the Jesuit Athanasius Kirchner. He had never been to China himself, but his China Monumentis was a diverse description, based on various Jesuit documents and eye-witness reports. It contained many illustrations and information about flora and fauna, language and religion.
Another important publication which hugely increased the popularity of China in 17th century Europe, was Joan Nieuhof's "Het Gezantschap der Nederlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie,......, Versiert met over de 150 afbeeltsels, na't Leven in Sina getekent,......" edited by Jacob van Meurs (Amsterdam 1665), with more than 150 fabulous illustrations. Nieuhof travelled widely through China and his experiences were received with great enthusiasm. It increased the interest in the new fashion for chinoiserie.
The Dutch and the Portuguese were long time opponents in their trade contacts with China. This tilepicture could be seen as a caricatural Dutch propaganda statement directed against the Portuguese "buffoons" with their "cross" banners trying to lure the "innocent" Orient into their sphere of influence.
Jan Huygen van Linschoten gathered first-hand information through his multiple contacts in the Spanish-Portuguese colony of Goa. Furthermore he knew the works by Juan de Mendoza (1585), and he used this information for his own journey (1595-1596).
An important publication was written by the Jesuit Athanasius Kirchner. He had never been to China himself, but his China Monumentis was a diverse description, based on various Jesuit documents and eye-witness reports. It contained many illustrations and information about flora and fauna, language and religion.
Another important publication which hugely increased the popularity of China in 17th century Europe, was Joan Nieuhof's "Het Gezantschap der Nederlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie,......, Versiert met over de 150 afbeeltsels, na't Leven in Sina getekent,......" edited by Jacob van Meurs (Amsterdam 1665), with more than 150 fabulous illustrations. Nieuhof travelled widely through China and his experiences were received with great enthusiasm. It increased the interest in the new fashion for chinoiserie.
The Dutch and the Portuguese were long time opponents in their trade contacts with China. This tilepicture could be seen as a caricatural Dutch propaganda statement directed against the Portuguese "buffoons" with their "cross" banners trying to lure the "innocent" Orient into their sphere of influence.