Artwork
A Wok Mender
A Wok Mender 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 Wok Mender is one of a hundred paintings depicting various occupations in Canton, created to satisfy European interest in Chinese culture and daily life.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a man repairing a wok, his hands worn from years of work, as he kneels beside a small fire that illuminates the scene.
History & Provenance
This work is part of a larger set of paintings produced in Canton, likely commissioned by Europeans seeking to understand Chinese customs and trades.
Context
The series to which A Wok Mender belongs offers a glimpse into the diverse occupations of the time, including fishing, weaving, and tool repair.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
