Artwork
A Miller Grinding Wheat
A Miller Grinding Wheat is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Puqua. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Miller Grinding Wheat is a watercolour painting created by Puqua in 1790, depicting a miller operating a cylindrical grinding machine. The work is part of a larger series illustrating various trades in Canton.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a miller in traditional attire (light blue robe, gray pants, and a black headcloth) engaged in grinding wheat using a large stone grinder operated by a long stick. The scene focuses on the miller's activity, set against a plain white background.
Technique & Style
Executed in muted colors, the painting emphasizes the subject's clothing and the grinder. The use of watercolour on a rectangular format suits the detailed, everyday nature of the scene, characteristic of Puqua's documentary approach to depicting trades.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a set of 100 works on Cantonese trades, A Miller Grinding Wheat was acquired from Parsons & Sons and entered the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection in 1898.
Context
As one of Puqua's series on Canton's trades, the painting provides a visual record of traditional Chinese occupational practices in the late 18th century, reflecting the artist's interest in documenting everyday life.
Legacy
Housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the painting remains a significant example of Puqua's work, offering insights into both the artist's style and late 18th-century Chinese trades.
Artist & collection
