A Candle Maker
1790
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1790
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
A Candle Maker is a 1790 paint by Puqua, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a candle maker in a small shop. Light from the candle brightens his focused face. Others in the background work but he’s the main figure. Made around 1790, it’s part of 100 paintings showing trades in Canton. Europeans bought these to learn about Chinese life. The style softens edges, almost like blurry focus. It’s set in Guangzhou, then called Canton. The shop looks crowded but calm. If you like this, try Puqua’s other works.
A rectangular watercolor painting from 1790 depicts a candle maker in Canton, seated beside a circular drying rack with candles dipped in red wax. Part of a set of 100 works illustrating various trades, it was created for European audiences interested in Chinese life. The central figure wears blue clothing, and the composition reflects the candle-making process. Acquired in 1898 from Parsons & Sons, it is held in a public collection.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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