Shipping off Canton

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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Notes

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In 1842 the Opium War between Britain and China ended with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking. This opened up the five main Chinese ports of Canton, Amoy, Ningpo, Shanghai and Foochow to European traders, who needed considerable naval protection from the persistent depredations of Chinese pirates. This is a view across the Pearl River at Canton in southern China towards the European 'factories' or trading posts, which the European merchants were not allowed to leave. Canton was the centre of China's tea trade with Europe. Steam communication between Hong Kong and Canton was regularised by the Hong Kong and Canton Steam Packet Company, founded on 19th October 1848. Since operations commenced in spring 1849, with two small London-built steamers, this helps to date the painting.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

Shipping off Canton

Date

c.1849–1856

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 94 x W 189.2 cm

Accession number

BHC1777

Work type

Painting

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