Artwork
A Bird Seller
A Bird Seller is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Puqua. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Bird Seller is a painting from a series of 100 works depicting various trades and occupations in 19th-century Canton, focusing on a vendor selling birds in a market setting.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a bird seller, is portrayed amidst their daily activity, highlighting the artist's intent to educate European audiences about Chinese life and professions during this period.
Technique & Style
While specific artistic techniques are not detailed, the inclusion of numerous occupational details suggests a realistic, observant approach, potentially influenced by the attention to everyday life characteristic of Romanticism.
History & Provenance
Commissioned for European patrons, the painting's creation reflects 19th-century European curiosity about Chinese culture and society.
Context
Part of a larger set documenting Canton's occupational diversity, this work provides a snapshot of commercial life in the region, catering to European fascination with the East.
Legacy
The painting serves as a historical record of a specific trade in Canton, contributing to a broader visual archive of 19th-century Chinese life for Western audiences.
Artist & collection
