Artwork
Man Fluffing Cotton
Man Fluffing Cotton 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
Man Fluffing Cotton is a painting from a series of 100 works illustrating various trades and occupations in 18th-century Canton, now Guangzhou. The scene focuses on a single figure engaged in the cotton-fluffing process.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man meticulously tending to a pile of raw cotton using a tool, highlighting the labor and attention to detail involved in this traditional occupation. The subject reflects the series' broader aim to educate European audiences about Chinese daily life and industries.
Technique & Style
The artist employed careful observation and rendering of detail, evident in the capture of the man's posture and the dynamic, lifelike portrayal of the cotton fibers as they catch the light.
History & Provenance
Originally part of a large set commissioned for European collectors seeking insight into Chinese society, the painting is now part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
