Lot 27: Youqua (Chinese, fl. 1840-1860)

Chinese ladies engaged in idle pursuit, a pair
bears studio label on reverse
oil on canvas
45.7 x 76.2 cm. (18 x 30 in.) (2).

Youqua established a studio at 34, Old Street, Canton and was one of the first artists to open a studio in Hong Kong, he was renowned for his port scenes and compositions.

Having little opportunity to observe the Chinese at home, the western traders enjoyed having a fragment of the Chinese way of life permanently recorded in the paintings they purchased to take
West. These works often depicted themes of tea drinking, ladies at their toilet, card playing and other such pursuits.