Artwork
A Chinese blacksmith at work
A Chinese blacksmith at work is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 16 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1836 pen-and-ink drawing depicts a Chinese blacksmith in a moment of focused labor, captured in a small, intimate format.
About this work
This is a quick pen-and-ink drawing from 1836. It shows a blacksmith hunched over his anvil, hammer lifted and ready. The sheet is small, just a few inches across.
George Chinnery drew it in Macao, where he lived for years. He focused on everyday workers and the tools they used.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see where it lives.
Overview
This 1836 pen-and-ink drawing depicts a Chinese blacksmith in a moment of focused labor, captured in a small, intimate format.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a blacksmith at work, reflects the artist's interest in documenting everyday workers and their tools, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a common tradesperson in Macao.
Technique & Style
Executed quickly in pen-and-ink, the drawing's simplicity and directness convey a sense of immediacy, characteristic of observational sketches.
History & Provenance
Created by George Chinnery during his residency in Macao, the drawing is now part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
A blacksmith and a seated man
Two blacksmiths beneath a parasol
A Chinese man cutting paste
A Chinese blacksmith hammering at his anvil
A Chinese blacksmith by his anvil
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A Chinese blacksmith at his forge
A Chinese blacksmith
A blacksmith at his anvil
A Chinese man stooping over a table, watched by a dog