Lot Essay
Two particular paintings signed by the Cantonese artist Fatqua justify the attribution of this pair. A picture in the Mottahedeh collection depicting the 'Madonna and Child with Joseph' after Raphael, is signed Fatqua Canton Pinxit is similarly bordered with both gold lines and leaf scrolls painted in gold on red as well as black. Another painting that was formerly in the Ionides collection is very similar to one of these two and is signed (see: Exhibtition Catalogue, loc. cit.)
The woman amidst clouds is based on an engraving of Miss Decamp in the character of Urania, 'dedicated to the Hon. W,R, Spencer by his obedient servant John P. Thompson J. Vendramini sculp.'
The woman amidst clouds is based on an engraving of Miss Decamp in the character of Urania, 'dedicated to the Hon. W,R, Spencer by his obedient servant John P. Thompson J. Vendramini sculp.'