The Great Square before the Factories, Canton

At the centre of the scene stands a prominent building topped by a pavilion, identified as the premises of the Cantonese merchant Liu Tung (also known as Chung Qua). The surrounding area, densely populated with Chinese vendors and pedestrians, was referred to as the Square or Respondentia Square, serving as a bustling interface between local merchants and foreign traders.

Rendered as a pen-and-ink drawing, the work employs precise linear detail to convey the architectural forms of the English, Dutch, and other factories, as well as the lively activity on the riverbank. The artist’s careful shading and perspective give a clear sense of depth and urban density.

The pavilion atop Liu Tung’s building was dismantled shortly after his bankruptcy and imprisonment in 1830, a fact reflected in later records of the site. The drawing is catalogued alongside related works dated 1762–1928, indicating its inclusion in a broader collection documenting Canton’s trade architecture.

During the early nineteenth century, Canton was the exclusive gateway for Western trade with China. The English and Dutch factories, marked by flagstaffs, flanked the Square, illustrating the competitive presence of multiple European powers within the confined trading zone.