A Chinese Dignitary Riding a Fish, ca. 1696

Part of an eleven-piece set, this painted wooden plaque depicts a Chinese dignitary under an umbrella riding a fish. A Chinese pagoda is faintly visible in the background. The motif by the artist Robert Robinson (1651–1706) is an early depiction of Chinese motifs in Europe, which in this case was not based on Chinese models, but originated from the artist's imagination.

Robert Robinson (1651–1706), A Chinese Dignitary Riding a Fish, one of eleven panels with Chinoiserie decoration, oil and tempera on wood panels, ca. 68.6 cm x ca. 80 cm, ca. 1696, Image source: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inventory number P.12-1954, https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O64583/a-chinese-dignitary-riding-a-oil-painting-robinson-robert/.