Collection

Tinsmith

Pu-Qua

  • Tinsmith 2
Basic information
ID
Г-IV-5531/17
Author
Pu-Qua
Name
Tinsmith
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 sits on a low, round box and uses a circular knife to cut through a sheet of metal. The man is dressed in a long blue shirt tied with a belt and short grey pants. Tools and supplies are laid out around the man, with a pot with fire at his feet. 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 "18".