Father Dominique Parrenin – Jesuit Missionary in China, Portrait by Portier 1790
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1790
Sheet size
20 × 12.5 cm (7.9 × 4.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14078-9
Condition
Condition report: Very good condition with a visible plate mark, light toning in the margins, and a few faint foxing spots. Strong, sharp impression with excellent preservation of engraved detail.
About this sheet
Father Dominique Parrenin – Jesuit Missionary in China, Portrait by Portier, c.1790
This fine late 18th-century engraving depicts Father Dominique Parrenin (1665–1741), a French Jesuit missionary who played a significant role in Sino-European cultural exchange. The Latin inscription notes his death in Beijing on 29 September 1741 at the age of 79. Parrenin was renowned for his linguistic skills, diplomacy, and close advisory relationship with the Kangxi Emperor, serving at the Qing court for decades.
Engraved by Portier (“Portier sculp.”), the portrait shows Parrenin in traditional Chinese-style dress with a long robe and a rounded cap, blending elements of European and Chinese attire—reflecting the Jesuit practice of adopting local customs to gain cultural acceptance. His long flowing beard, steady gaze, and composed demeanor convey the dignity and intellectual authority for which he was respected.
Parrenin’s legacy extends beyond religious work; he was an important intermediary between France and China, contributing to scientific, geographic, and linguistic exchanges. His detailed letters and reports became valuable resources for Enlightenment-era scholars in Europe, offering rare insights into Qing-era China.
The composition is framed within a fine engraved border, with the biographical inscription contained in an ornamental cartouche. This type of portrait was commonly included in historical and missionary publications of the late 18th century, honoring distinguished Jesuits and recording their contributions to the Society of Jesus’s global mission.
Condition report: Very good condition with a visible plate mark, light toning in the margins, and a few faint foxing spots. Strong, sharp impression with excellent preservation of engraved detail.
Framing tips: Best presented in a dark wood or black frame with an off-white archival mat to accentuate the contrast of the engraving. A narrow gilt slip could add a refined highlight.
Technique: Engraving Maker: Portier, France, c.1790
