Artwork
The East India Company's Factory, Canton
The East India Company's Factory, Canton is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 19 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The East India Company's Factory, Canton is a drawing depicting a scene from across the Pearl River. It shows the eastern end of the site allocated to Western trading nations' factories in Canton, now known as Guangzhou.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing captures the layout of the 'factory' site, with the English, Dutch, and Creek 'factories' visible, identified by British and Dutch flags. The scene provides insight into the trading activities of Western nations in Canton during this period.
Technique & Style
The drawing includes a separate study of two goats at a 90-degree angle on the left side, indicating the artist's practice of incorporating multiple sketches within a single work.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
- Chinqua's House & part of the Factories, Canton, China. March 1st 1828
Chinese shipping
Chinqua's house, with entrance to China Street, Canton
View of East India Company's Factory, Canton
The Great Square before the Factories, Canton
Small Fort on the River opposite the Factories, Canton
The 'Dutch folly fort', Canton (Guangzhou)
The East India Company's Hong, Canton