Collection

Beggar with a Snake

Pu-Qua

  • Beggar with a Snake 2
Basic information
ID
Г-IV-5531/12
Author
Pu-Qua
Name
Beggar with a Snake
Date of creation
late 17th – early 18th c.
Country
China
Culture
Far East
Technique
etching watercolor embossing
Material
Indian ink paper
Dimensions (height x width, cm)
29.3 x 24.4
Information about author
Author
Pu-Qua
Artist's lifetime
1494–1552
Biography
Chinese artist
Object description
A man with a semi-naked torso, wearing a short dirty-blue robe and knee-length pants. On the top of his head is a kippah-like hat with a bundle of red-pink tow, and on the back of his head is a braid with a red flower. On the right side of the man hangs an elliptical-shaped basket with a lid, and on his neck, forming a ring hangs a snake, which the man holds by the head with his right hand. In his left hand is a long bamboo stick. The snake and the stick are symbols of beggars in China. The etching comes from the album "Customs and National Costumes of the Chinese," which includes 60 images of Chinese people engaged in various activities. Each image is accompanied by an explanation in German and some in French. In the 18th century, artists in Canton (Guangzhou) in southern China created these paintings for Europeans eager to learn more about China and its people.
Inscriptions
In the lower left corner there is a calligraphic inscription: "Pu-Qua.Canton. Delin." made in Indian ink. In the lower right corner there is an inscription: "Dadley.London.Sculpt". In the top right corner – number "12".