Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Artwork

Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835)

George Chinnery , 2

Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835), by George Chinnery, 2
Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835), by George Chinnery, 2

Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835) is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 2 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This drawing depicts the ruined nave of St.

About this work

His pencil sketch shows the tall archway still standing but the inside gutted, only the baroque altar survives.

After a fire in January 1835, George Chinnery drew the damaged nave of St. Paul’s Church in Macao. His pencil sketch shows the tall archway still standing but the inside gutted, only the baroque altar survives. Two soldiers stand near the wreckage, small against the scale of ruin.

Chinnery chose a quiet moment. The drawing isn’t dramatic, but it quietly records loss and endurance. The church’s stone arches frame the ruins like a stage.

Look up George Chinnery.

Overview

This drawing depicts the ruined nave of St. Paul's Church in Macao after a fire in January 1835. Created by George Chinnery, it shows the aftermath of the destruction.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing captures a somber scene: a tall masonry arch frames the gutted interior, with the remains of a baroque altarpiece visible. Two soldiers stand amidst the wreckage, underscoring the scale of the destruction.

Technique & Style

Chinnery's pencil sketch conveys a sense of quiet contemplation, recording the loss and endurance of the church's stone structure. The composition frames the ruins like a stage, emphasizing the contrast between the surviving arches and the devastated interior.

History & Provenance

George Chinnery, a British artist active in Asia, created this drawing in response to the fire that damaged St. Paul's Church in Macao in January 1835.

The ruins of St Paul's church, Macau, after the fire of 26 January 1835
The ruins of St Paul's church, Macau, after the fire of 26 January 1835, George Chinnery

Artist & collection

Portrait of George Chinnery

Artist

George Chinnery

George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.

MORE BY GEORGE CHINNERY

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 100 percent

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835)?

Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835) was painted by George Chinnery in 2.

Where can I see Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835)?

Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835) is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835)?

Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835)?

Museum-quality prints of Large archway in the centre nave of St. Paul's Church, Macao, after it was burnt (December 1835) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.