Artwork
A Vegetable Seller
A Vegetable 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
This rectangular watercolor, executed in 1790 by the artist Puqua, portrays a vendor carrying two baskets on a pole. The composition centers on the figure, whose bare feet and loosely draped, light‑toned garments convey a sense of everyday labor. The work forms part of a larger series of one hundred images documenting various trades in Canton.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure balances two side‑less baskets, each brimming with vegetables, greens and a vivid red‑orange flower. The calm, focused expression and the careful arrangement of produce suggest both the practical demands of market trade and a subtle appreciation for the freshness of the goods.
Technique & Style
Rendered in watercolor, the painting employs soft washes to model the figure’s clothing and the surrounding environment, while the baskets are delineated with thicker rope lines that emphasize their weight. The limited palette of muted earth tones contrasted with the bright foliage highlights the artist’s skill in suggesting texture and volume with minimal brushwork.
History & Provenance
The piece was acquired from the dealer Parsons & Sons and entered the museum’s collection in 1898, as documented in the Asia Department registers. Recent provenance research conducted in 2022 confirmed its inclusion in the original series of occupational studies.
Artist & collection
