Artwork
A Wine Distiller
A Wine Distiller 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
A man stirs a clay pot over a low fire in a dim workshop. The pot steams. A jar on the shelf holds more of the same liquid.
Part of 100 paintings made in 1790, this one shows a wine distiller at work. It was sold to curious Europeans who wanted pictures of daily life in Canton.
Check the Victoria and Albert Museum for similar scenes of trades.
Overview
A Wine Distiller is one of 100 paintings documenting various trades in 18th-century Canton, created for European clientele curious about Chinese life.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a wine distiller at work in a dimly lit workshop, highlighting a specific occupation within Canton's daily life, catering to European curiosity about Chinese customs.
Technique & Style
While specific artistic techniques are not detailed, the scene's focus on everyday activity suggests a realistic, observational approach, common in occupational genre paintings of the era.
History & Provenance
Created in 1790 as part of a larger set, the painting was initially sold to Europeans. Similar works can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, indicating its part in a broader commercial art production for foreign markets.
Context
Part of a commercial art venture, the painting reflects late 18th-century European fascination with Chinese culture and daily life, particularly in trade hubs like Canton.
Artist & collection
