Artwork
A Book Seller
A Book 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
The artist used bright colors and sharp lines to show everyday life.
A man in blue robes sits behind a table piled with books. Sunlight catches the pages and makes them glow. His shop sits in a narrow street with brick walls on either side.
This is one of 100 small paintings made in Canton around 1790. People in Europe wanted to see how Chinese traders worked. The artist used bright colors and sharp lines to show everyday life.
Look up Puqua to see more scenes from this set.
Overview
Created around 1790 in Canton, this painting is one of a series of 100 works depicting various Chinese trades and occupations, produced for European audiences curious about Chinese life.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a bookseller in blue robes seated behind a table laden with books, set within a narrow, brick-walled street. The scene conveys a glimpse into the daily life of a Chinese trader.
Technique & Style
Characterized by the use of bright colors and sharp lines, the artwork employs a vivid and detailed style to capture the mundane yet intriguing aspects of the bookseller's environment, with sunlight accentuating the glow of the book pages.
History & Provenance
Part of a larger set commissioned for European consumption, this painting reflects the Western interest in Chinese culture during the late 18th century. For similar works, see the Puqua collection.
Context
Produced in Canton, a major trading hub, the painting catered to European curiosity about Chinese commercial and social practices, facilitating cultural exchange through visual representation.
Artist & collection
