Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Le Prince Metz 1734 - 1781 Saint-Denis-du-Port, Seine-et-Marne

Le Prince’s name was synonymous with the fanciful and exotic decorations he produced.  His picturesque depictions of day-to-day life in Russia, known as russeries and his exotic portrayals of Chinamen were in high demand during his lifetime.  The vogue for decorating homes with exotic silks, porcelain and prints imported from the Far East, inspired artists, like Le Prince, to take advantage of this exoticism and incorporate fantasy and whimsy into their own decorations.  A testament to the growing interest in the East was the Chinoiserie trade card that François Boucher designed for Gersaint’s shop on the Pont-Notre-Dame A la Pagode.

Six chinoiseries, decorative panels by Le Prince with Chinese figures, were sold at the  Ganay sale on May 8, 1922, lot 53.