Chitqua (Tan-Che-Qua)
(circa 1728-1796), Chinese artistSitter in 4 portraits
Chitqua was a sculptor whose life-like portraits in clay attracted the attention of European merchants in the Chinese port of Canton (Guangzhou). He came to England in 1769, settling in London, where he charged ten guineas for a bust and fifteen for a whole-length figure. He was received as a foreign dignitary, attending an audience with King George III and a dinner at the Royal Academy, where he exhibited a clay figure in 1770. James Boswell called him an 'an ingenious artist in taking likenesses in terracotta'. He sat for portrait artists, including John Hamilton Mortimer, and featured in Johann Zoffany's group portrait of the founder members of the Royal Academy. Little is known about his life following his return to China in 1772.
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
watercolour and ink, 1773, based on a work of 1772
NPG 1437
Key to 'The Academicians of the Royal Academy'
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
pencil, circa 1773
NPG 1437a
The Academicians of the Royal Academy
by Richard Earlom, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D21304
attributed to John Hamilton Mortimer
oil on canvas, 1770-1771
On display in Room 12 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L261
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.