Of superb quality. Directly based upon a Western print of Richard Westall’s painting: The Artist’s Wife as Sappho (now at the National Museums Liverpool). The print was brought to China and copied in Canton onto glass in the reverse glass method.
With period gilt frame. Size: 19 ½ inches x 14 ½ inches (49.5 x 36.8 cm.)
Framed: 23 ½ x 18 ¼ inches (60 x 47.5 cm.)
Illustrated and described: Carl Crossman, The China Trade, 1972, Plate 110.
Sappho was a famous Greek lyric poet (ca: 620-550 BC) particularly known for her evocative love poetry. She became a popular Victorian icon focused on her open expression of physical love. Paintings of her from the period depict her as a voluptuous young woman.