Artwork
Three drawings of a Chinese porter
Three drawings of a Chinese porter is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 10 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This drawing comprises three sketches of a Chinese water porter and a fourth sketch on the reverse.
About this work
Overview
This drawing comprises three sketches of a Chinese water porter and a fourth sketch on the reverse. The artist, George Chinnery, captured the figure with varying degrees of detail and line weight.
Subject & Meaning
The drawings depict a man carrying two pails suspended from a shoulder pole, a common occupation in China at the time. The reverse sketch shows thatched dwellings and lightly sketched figures and cattle, suggesting a rural setting.
Technique & Style
The sketches demonstrate Chinnery's ability to work quickly while maintaining clarity of form. The varying line strengths and sizes of the drawings showcase his range of techniques.
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.
