Artwork
A Seller of Dried Bean Curd
A Seller of Dried Bean Curd 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 rectangular watercolour created in 1790 by the artist known as Puqua, titled “A Seller of Dried Bean Curd,” records a street vendor from Canton. The composition centers on a seated figure surrounded by baskets of the dried tofu product, rendered in a restrained palette that emphasizes the everyday nature of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a man in a plain grey robe, seated on a basket with his feet placed on another, holding a long pole behind him. His calm expression and modest attire suggest the dignity of ordinary labor, offering a visual document of a specific commercial activity within the bustling Cantonese market.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the painting employs muted tones and subtle shifts of light and shadow to model form and create depth. The restrained colour scheme aligns with the broader Romantic tendency toward modesty and observation, allowing the figure and his wares to emerge without decorative excess.
History & Provenance
The image belongs to a series of one hundred paintings that illustrated diverse trades in Canton. It entered the museum’s collection after being purchased from the dealers Parsons & Sons and was formally accessioned in 1898. The provenance was reconfirmed during a departmental research project completed in 2022.
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