A Manure Collector
1790
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1790
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
A Manure Collector is a 1790 paint by Puqua, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
You see a man bent over a pile of manure. His worn clothes and rough tools show his hard work. A wooden bucket sits beside him, ready to carry the load. This painting comes from a set of 100 images showing everyday jobs in old China. Europeans bought these prints to learn about Chinese life. It’s a snapshot, not a fancy portrait. Look up Puqua next if you want to see more of his work.
A rectangular watercolour painting depicts a manure collector in Canton, shown carrying two tall baskets suspended from a shoulder pole. The work is part of a series of 100 paintings illustrating various trades and occupations, created for European audiences interested in Chinese society.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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