Who painted Rice-Selling Barge?

Rice-Selling Barge was painted by Unknown in 1810.

Where can I see Rice-Selling Barge?

Rice-Selling Barge is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Rice-Selling Barge?

Rice-Selling Barge is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Rice-Selling Barge

Unknown , 1810

Rice-Selling Barge 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

Next time you’re in London, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

This painting shows a crowded barge on a busy river, selling rice. The boat is packed with sacks. The artist painted it as part of a set showing Pearl River boats.

Made around 1800, these paintings were cheap souvenirs for tourists. They show daily life in Canton before China closed its doors. The barge’s crew worked hard, balancing trade and travel.

Next time you’re in London, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

Created circa 1800, this small oil painting belongs to a series of fifty works that document the myriad vessels navigating the Pearl River near Canton. It portrays a barge laden with rice sacks, busy with activity as it moves along the crowded waterway.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a commercial barge engaged in the sale of rice, illustrating the everyday labor of river traders whose livelihoods depended on the constant flow of goods and passengers along the riverine network.

Technique & Style

Executed in a straightforward, utilitarian manner, the work employs a limited palette and simplified forms typical of inexpensive souvenir prints of the period, emphasizing recognizable details over fine artistic refinement.

History & Provenance

The paintings were produced for Western visitors to China as affordable keepsakes, reflecting the brief window of access before the Qing dynasty’s restrictive policies curtailed foreign trade. They were likely distributed among travelers returning to Europe.

Context

Lord George Macartney, the first British ambassador to China, described the Canton River as densely packed with boats of all sizes, a vivid observation that aligns with the bustling atmosphere depicted in this barge scene.