Loum Kiqua

Date1757

Engraver Thomas Burford (ca. 1710 - ca. 1770)

After work by Dominique Serres

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOH: 14" x OW: 10" (trimmed to the platemark)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1979-309

DescriptionLower margin reads: "D. Serres ad vivum pinx.t/ Loum Kiqua/ T. Burford fecit,/ The Chinese, came to Lisbon in 1755, was there at the Time of the Earthquake and providentially escap'd with Life; after many hardships & ill treatments, / from the Portuguese, he came over to England, in 1756; where he met with different usage, having had the Honour to be seen by his Majesty, and the rest of the Royal--/ Family; most of the Nobility &c. by whom he was much caress'd, having made application to the Hon.ble the East India Company for his passage home, he was kindly received,/ and generously accomodated on Board one of their Ships to carry him to Canton, his Native Country./ Publish'd according to Act of Parliament, April 1757"

Chinese characters at lower left corner that are the Chinese equivilent of his name, though romanized.
Label TextLoum Kiqua was one of the first Chinese people to visit England. According to the text inscribed on this print and account the visit of a "Chinese merchant's" visit to London in 1756-1757 was published in the "Gentleman's Magazine" aligns with the time of this portrait pints publication. According to scholars, a Chinese merchant traveled to Lisbon, Portugal around the time of the famous earthquake on November 1, 1755, and was said to have "escaped" alleged mistreatment and persecution at the hands of the Portuguese by travelling to England in 1756. In London, he was received with curiosity and respect. Loum Kiqua was granted an audience with the King and the Royal Family in 1757 before traveling back to Canton on one of the East India Company's ships.
InscribedIn iron gall ink on the lower margin: "very like"
On verso upper right corner: "Geo 2.d. Class 18"