Artwork
Man Selling Toilet Paper
Man Selling Toilet Paper 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 watercolour painting from 1790, 'Man Selling Toilet Paper' is a rectangular work depicting a tradesman at work. It is one of a set of 100 paintings illustrating various occupations in Canton.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a man sitting on the floor, surrounded by stacks of toilet paper, unfolding a sheet. His neutral expression and focused posture convey a sense of quiet industry. The scene is a straightforward representation of a common occupation.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the painting is characteristic of the Romanticism movement, with its emphasis on everyday life and detailed representation. The plain background and careful rendering of the subject's clothing and surroundings add to the work's straightforward, observational quality.
History & Provenance
The painting was acquired by Parsons & Sons and entered the collection in 1898, as documented in the Asia Department registers during a 2022 provenance research project.
Artist & collection
