Artwork

A boatwoman and child beside a beached Tanka boat

A boatwoman and child beside a beached Tanka boat, by George Chinnery, 12
A boatwoman and child beside a beached Tanka boat, by George Chinnery, 12

A boatwoman and child beside a beached Tanka boat is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 12 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This ink drawing shows a boatwoman with her child on her back. She sits beside a Tanka boat resting on stones near the water’s edge. George Chinnery made it in 1834.

It’s one of the few detailed records of Tanka boat life. The scene feels quiet, like a snapshot of daily routine by the shore.

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Overview

A boatwoman and child are depicted in a serene scene beside a beached Tanka boat in this 1834 ink drawing by George Chinnery.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing captures a moment of everyday life, showing a boatwoman with her child on her back, seated next to a Tanka boat resting on stones near the water's edge, providing a rare glimpse into the daily routine of Tanka boat life.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink, the drawing conveys a sense of quiet intimacy, its simplicity and detail evoking a snapshot of a tranquil moment by the shore.

History & Provenance

Created by George Chinnery in 1834, this drawing is a significant record of Tanka boat culture, offering a unique insight into the lives of those who lived and worked by the water.

Artist & collection

Portrait of George Chinnery

Artist

George Chinnery

George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.