Zprávy památkové péče 2018, 78(2):151-158 | DOI: 10.56112/zpp.2018.2.10

Chinese chambers in Bohemia and Moravia: wall decorations

Lucie Olivová

Filozofická fakulta Masarykovy univerzity v Brně

The "Chinese fashion", which found expression in the construction of Chinese gardens and interiors in aristocratic residences, also penetrated the Czech lands during the 18th century. At the beginning of this essay, the article illuminates the broader contexts that promoted this trend and indicates the basic sources from which chinoiserie emerged: imported luxury goods and informative books about China. From here, we move on to the actual theme of the study, i.e. wall decorations created by local decorators. Chinese wallpapers are left aside for now. A survey of approximately twenty locations has revealed that the concept and design of decoration can be categorized into several distinct circles. The first is paintings, or collages (lacca povera) that are intended to create the impression of East Asian lacquer decor. The next circle is illusive paintings that portray Chinese porcelain vessels or blue-and-white ceramic tile. Wall paintings that no longer imitate specific objects but use selected Chinese motifs (a figure with a pipe and a pointed hat, a monkey, a parrot, a peacock) set in a landscape with exotic flora (palm trees) and architecture (pagoda) also represent a significant shift. At the same time as this circle, which worked freely and creatively with Chinese motifs, there was another that emerged, based on illustrations in educational books and, either in whole or in detail, is translated fairly faithfully onto the walls of parlours. This last circle evidently does not belong among the chinoiserie, but it clearly bears its mark. Its style is based on the analogue decoration of J.W. Bergl in Vienna, for example. The paintings depict an exotic landscape with the striking feature of climbing flora, complemented by motifs we consider to be Chinese (monkey, parrot, pagoda), but often also by motifs taken from antiquity, freemasonry, and romanticism (ruins of a medieval fortress). Altogether, Chinese interiors tended to be larger in the Czech lands, usually halls with a social purpose. Of more intimate cabinets which, according to experts are a typical manifestation of chinoiserie, only four have survived and come from the first half of the 18th century; most of the structures examined are only from the last quarter of the 18th century. The article does not touch on the artwork of the studied wall paintings, since the names of their authors are mostly unknown.

Keywords: 18th century Chinese fashion, wall paintings, decoration of aristocratic residences

Published: June 1, 2018  Show citation