Artwork
The Emperor of China's Gardens, the Imperial Palace, Peking
The Emperor of China's Gardens, the Imperial Palace, Peking is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist William Alexander. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour painting, titled 'The Emperor of China's Gardens, the Imperial Palace, Peking', depicts a serene Chinese garden scene with buildings and trees. Created by William Alexander, it is a product of his travels to China as part of the first British embassy.
History & Provenance
Alexander accompanied the embassy to China from 1792 to 1794, a period when British knowledge of China was limited despite a long history of importing Chinese artefacts. He documented his experiences through a journal and numerous drawings.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in watercolour, a medium that allowed Alexander to capture the delicate nuances of the Chinese garden's architecture and natural surroundings.
Artist & collection
Barges of Lord Macartney's Embassy to China on the Grand Canal
On one of the Rivers of China
a view of the Canton waterfront
Garden Scene
Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa
Porcelain Arriving at Canton Warehouse
Part of the Dutch Folly, near Canton
View of the Bosphorus with warships
The Sweet Waters of Europe, Constantinople