Not currently on display at the V&A

Garden scene

Painting
1850-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Before 1840 trade between China and Europe was the monopoly of a dozen or so merchants in Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China, known as 'hong merchants'. Some of them lived in big mansions with magnificent gardens, in which they entertained their foreign customers. So much was written or spoken about these gardens that eventually every European or American visiting Canton would make an effort to see them. Paintings such as this were produced for those who did not have the opportunity to make a personal visit.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGarden scene (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour and ink on pith paper
Brief description
Painting, 'Garden Scene', watercolours and ink on pith paper, Guangzhou, China, 1850-1870
Physical description
Painting depicting a garden scene. In the centre, in the middle of a lake, a red trellis building. Around the edge of the lake, large trees. A second blue building can be seen on the right. The mount is blue.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17cm
  • Width: 29.6cm
Style
Subject depicted
Summary
Before 1840 trade between China and Europe was the monopoly of a dozen or so merchants in Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China, known as 'hong merchants'. Some of them lived in big mansions with magnificent gardens, in which they entertained their foreign customers. So much was written or spoken about these gardens that eventually every European or American visiting Canton would make an effort to see them. Paintings such as this were produced for those who did not have the opportunity to make a personal visit.
Bibliographic reference
Souvenir from Canton : Chinese export paintings from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Shanghai, 2003 284
Collection
Accession number
9127:5

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Record createdJuly 5, 2004
Record URL
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