AFTER GIUSEPPE CASTIGLIONE (1688-1766), IMPERIAL STUDIOS Chrysanthemums, 19th century (2)PROPERTY OF ANOTHER OWNERAFTER GIUSEPPE CASTIGLIONE (1688-1766), IMPERIAL STUDIOSChrysanthemums, 19th centuryTwo paintings, both framed and glazed, one ink and color on silk, with a signature Chen Lang Shining gonghui and two seals Chen Shining and gonghua, seven collection seals Qianlong Yulanzhibao, Wufu wudai tang guxi tianzi bao, Tianlu linlang, Yi zisun, Yangxin dian jiancang bao, Shiqu baoji, Shiqu jijian; the second painting, ink and color on paper, with the same signature and artist's seals, and additional seven collection seals Wufu wudai tangbao, Wufu wudai tang guxi tianzi bao, Shiqu baoji, Yi zisun, Yangxin dian jiancang bao, Shiqu jijian and Tianlu jijian. 34 1/4 x 15in (87 x 38cm)32 3/4 x 13 1/4in (83.5 x 33.5cm) (2).仿郎世寧 宮廷畫坊 菊花 設色絹本/紙本 鏡框兩幅 十九世紀Provenance:Gump's, San Francisco, prior to 1953These two painted compositions of blossoming chrysanthemum bear the signature of Lang Shining, otherwise known as Giuseppe Castiglione, an Italian Jesuit artist who served as a court artist for three Chinese emperors in the late 17th and early 18th century. Castiglione was one of several European artists who created under the aegis of the Qing imperial court, and his introduction of European techniques and aesthetic approaches made a notable visual impact on court art, in his own time and the generations that followed. Stylistically, this pair likely dates from the century that followed Castiglione's era of activity in Beijing, and there are several affinities that link these paintings with similar compositions reliably dated to the imperial studios during the Tongzhi period (r. 1862-1874). According to the labeling to the reverse, the paintings were purchased at Gumps, the famed San Francisco luxury retailer that was renowned for fine Asian art and antiques. The label still advertises Gumps' Honolulu, Hawaii location—which closed in 1953—indicating these paintings were likely acquired by the family in the first half of the 20th century.