Artwork
A Chinese figure with an upraised hammer
A Chinese figure with an upraised hammer is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 19 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This drawing is called A Chinese figure with an upraised hammer. It's a work by George Chinnery.
The drawing shows a Chinese blacksmith with an upraised hammer. This sketch was created sometime between 1825 and 1852, which gives us a sense of when Chinnery was working on it.
To learn more about the style and method used in this piece, look into the technique of cross-hatching.
Overview
George Chinnery’s drawing titled A Chinese figure with an upraised hammer portrays a lone artisan at work. Executed in ink on paper, the work belongs to the early‑to‑mid‑19th‑century period, dated between 1825 and 1852, situating it within the artist’s long residence in China where he documented local life.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a Chinese blacksmith, captured in the moment of raising his hammer, a gesture that emphasizes the physicality and concentration of his craft. The composition foregrounds the tool and the worker’s posture, offering a glimpse into the daily labor that sustained traditional communities.
Technique & Style
Chinnery employs a dense cross‑hatching technique to render the textures of metal, cloth, and surrounding space. The intersecting lines create tonal variation and a sense of volume, while the restrained palette of black ink underscores the drawing’s observational quality and its focus on form over decorative detail.
History & Provenance
Created during Chinnery’s prolific period in Canton, the drawing reflects his interest in documenting indigenous occupations for a European audience. Though specific ownership records are sparse, the work has been catalogued as part of the artist’s extensive series of Chinese genre scenes, illustrating his role as a visual chronicler of early colonial encounters.
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.
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