Artwork
Taiwan Yuhina
Taiwan Yuhina is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a Taiwan yuhina, a small bird species, in a straightforward composition. Created in Canton, southern China, it exemplifies a type of artwork mass-produced for European clientele.
Subject & Meaning
The Taiwan yuhina is rendered in detail, showcasing its feathers and beak. The painting reflects European interest in foreign flora and fauna, particularly among British botanists and the broader public, during the 18th and 19th centuries.
History & Provenance
Canton, now known as Guangzhou, was a key trading port where Europeans purchased Chinese goods in the 18th century. Travellers often brought back paintings of exotic birds, contributing to the growing fascination with such species among the British public.
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
