Artwork
Fishing Junk
Fishing Junk is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Fishing Junk is a painting from a series of 50 works depicting various boats on the Pearl River. It is one of many similar paintings mass-produced as souvenirs for travelers.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a small fishing junk with one or two fishermen spreading a net. The scene reflects the dense maritime activity on the Pearl River, which was a characteristic feature of the region.
Technique & Style
The artist employed simple techniques, utilizing strong contrasts of light and dark to create a sense of volume, akin to the chiaroscuro method. The lack of detail is likely due to the rapid and large-scale production of these paintings.
History & Provenance
The painting is associated with Lord George Macartney, the first British ambassador to China, who documented the Pearl River's busy waterways. His description highlights the river's dense inhabitation by various boats and vessels.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
