Artwork
A Tailor
A Tailor 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. The work portrays a Chinese tailor seated at a modest table, surrounded by a simple, softly coloured interior.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays a Chinese tailor seated at a modest table, surrounded by a simple, softly coloured interior. He holds a pair of scissors and a piece of fabric, his expression composed rather than hurried. The composition is part of a larger series of one hundred paintings that document various occupations in the Canton region.
Subject & Meaning
The figure represents the everyday craft of tailoring, emphasizing the quiet concentration of the trade. By focusing on the tools and the calm demeanor, the image conveys a sense of professionalism and the integral role of garment makers within the local economy.
Technique & Style
Executed in a restrained palette, the painting employs flat washes of colour to define the interior space, while fine brushwork renders the scissors, cloth and facial features with clarity. The overall style is straightforward and observational, avoiding decorative excess in favour of a clear, documentary quality.
History & Provenance
Created for a European audience, the series was assembled to satisfy curiosity about Chinese society during the period of increased trade with Canton. The individual pieces were sold to collectors abroad, serving as visual reports of Chinese occupational life for those unable to travel to the region.
Artist & collection
