Artwork
A Poultry Seller
A Poultry Seller is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Puqua. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Poultry Seller is a watercolour painting created by Puqua in 1790, depicting a tradesperson with their wares. The work is part of a larger set illustrating various occupations in Canton.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows an older man handling a bird, with a small cage and stick in hand, and two woven baskets nearby. The scene focuses on the textures and everyday activity of the poultry seller's trade.
Technique & Style
The artist rendered detailed textures, such as woven baskets and bird feathers, using soft and muted colours with earthy tones and grey. The plain background emphasizes the subject and their tools.
History & Provenance
The painting was acquired from Parsons & Sons and entered the collection in 1898, as documented in the Asia Department registers following a 2022 provenance research project.
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Artist & collection
