Lot Essay
In 1793 J.S. van Reede tot de Parkeler (Baron Reede) sent a collection of Japanese objects to his father in the Netherlands. In the detailed list he drew up, there is reference to "two oval portraits of Frederick II, one of which is lacquered with colours..." the lacquerers must have had European models in which prints played a vital role. C.J.A. Jorg divides these plaques into possible groups of which L'Europe illustre, published in Paris between 1755 and 1765 and compiled by Dreux du Radier, served as a model for one. The source for the above is unknown but possibly based on a publication with illustrations of coins and Chinese emperors, statesmen, philosophers and scholars. Baron Reede commissioned the series in 1788 while head of the Dutch trading commission at Deshima, and in view of the publication dates of the reference works, the plaque dates from the late 18th century.