A Scene in an Historical Play Exhibited on the Chinese Stage
1795
watercolor
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1795
watercolor
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Scene in an Historical Play Exhibited on the Chinese Stage is a 1795 watercolor by William Alexander, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows a busy stage with actors in colorful costumes. A woman in a white dress with red trim stands near a man in a long robe, both holding props. Others hold flags, banners, and musical instruments, while a dog lies on the ground. The background has a building with windows and a distant landscape. The artist used soft watercolor washes to blend light and shadow, giving the scene a dreamy feel. The actors’ outfits and props suggest a story from Chinese history, but the focus is on the lively performance itself. Next, look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up colors in layers.
