Where can I see Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa?

Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa?

Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa

Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays houses and boats, reflecting the commercial and navigational significance of these Pearl River Delta ports.

The painting depicts three views along the Pearl River: Canton, Macao, and Whampoa. As a marine painting, its subject centers on maritime scenes and coastal settlements, with the depicted locations representing key trading posts in southern China during the era of European maritime trade. The work portrays houses and boats, reflecting the commercial and navigational significance of these Pearl River Delta ports.

The triptych format of three distinct yet related views suggests a documentary or topographical purpose, capturing the geography and activity of this vital trade corridor.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil on canvas painting created in 1780. It depicts three faces along the Pearl River in Canton, Macau, and Whampoa, rendered in a marine genre style. The canvas measures 52 cm in height and 76 cm in width, reflecting the marine art genre through its coastal subject matter and compositional focus on riverine scenes.

History & Provenance

Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa is an anonymous marine painting created in 1780, currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work measures 52 cm in height and 76 cm in width and portrays a house and a boat. It was classified as a painting within the marine art genre and was documented in the Rijksmuseum's collection as of 2023.

The painting's creation history is tied to its date of 1780, which is recorded as its inception date. Its authorship is attributed to an anonymous artist, and it was cataloged under the marine genre within the museum's holdings.

Provenance details indicate that the work has remained in the Rijksmuseum since its acquisition, forming part of its permanent collection of marine artworks.

The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, accessioned under the Rijksmuseum inventory number SK-A-18608292. It was created in 1780 and has been displayed in exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum, including the exhibition titled 'Dutch and Flemish Paintings from the 15th to the 19th Century'.

Overview

The work titled Drie gezichten op de Parelrivier: Kanton, Macao, Whampoa depicts a tranquil harbor scene. A smooth expanse of water reflects a muted sky, while a cluster of small vessels rests near the shoreline. Simple waterfront structures line the edge, and a few figures can be seen strolling along the quay.

Context

The scene reflects a period when the Pearl River’s ports were key nodes in regional and international trade. By portraying multiple ports together, the work underscores the interconnectedness of the southern Chinese maritime network during the era of heightened foreign commerce.