Artwork
Junks and Tanka boats by a river fort, Canton (Guangzhou)
Junks and Tanka boats by a river fort, Canton (Guangzhou) is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This drawing shows a busy riverside scene in Canton. George Chinnery sketched it between 1825 and 1832 using pen and ink.
You might miss it at first, but the river fort is the real star here. Locals called it Haizhu Fort. Western traders knew it as the Dutch Folly Fort. It sat near their trading posts.
If you like this style, look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This drawing by George Chinnery depicts a riverside scene in Canton (Guangzhou), featuring a fort and various boats.
Subject & Meaning
The fort, known as Haizhu ('Sea pearl') to locals and Dutch Folly Fort to Westerners, is the central element. It contained banyan trees and a Song dynasty official's temple. The scene includes junks and Tanka boats, highlighting the river's commercial activity near Western trading posts.
Technique & Style
Created with pen and ink, the drawing showcases Chinnery's skill in capturing a bustling scene.
History & Provenance
Chinnery visited Canton multiple times between 1825 and 1832, during which he produced this work.
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.
