CHINESE WAR JUNK OR COMMANDER'S VESSEL IN FRONT OF THE DANISH SETTLEMENT, DRAWN AFTER NATURE IN THE CANTON RIVER [translation of manuscript caption title].

Tilesius von Tilenau, Wilhelm Gottlieb:

Edité par [China. ca. 1805].

A propos de cet article

An extremely important and visually appealing watercolor depicting trading practices on the Canton River in China, early 19th century. The work was done during the Krusenstern expedition, Russia's first major scientific voyage in the Pacific and first circumnavigation of the world by a Russian ship. It was executed by the ship's artist, Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau. The view is from the perspective of a boat on the river and shows several Danish trading houses set up on the riverside. The buildings are made of wood and thatch, and several barrels and logs are also present. The factories fly flags of a white cross on a red background. Several men are shown on the riverbank, a tower is seen in the middle distance, and mountains are shown across the background. A large Chinese ship, identified in the manuscript caption as a "war junk," dominates the scene on the river, and six smaller vessels are also shown. The present image by Tilesius provides a rare and vivid record of these fleeting trade seasons, providing important details of the Danish post. The original manuscript caption is attached to the verso of the watercolor and reads: "Eine Chinesische Krieges Junke oder Kommandeurs Schiff vor dem Daenischen Bankshall. Dr. Tilesius v. T. ad nat. pinxit in flumine Sinico Taiho Cantonensi." In the early 19th century foreign merchants were allowed to trade in Canton for a short four-month season only. After that the warehouses and living quarters of the company were required to be torn down, only to rebuilt the following year at the company's expense. Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau (1769-1857) accompanied the Krusenstern expedition on the ships Nadeshda and Newa, during the first Russian circumnavigation, from 1803 to 1806. After the Russian painter, Kurjlandzow, left the expedition in Kamchatka in 1804, Tilesius became responsible for recording interesting observations relating to the geography and natural history of the places they visited. He contributed many detailed designs for the illustrations in the third volume of Krusenstern's account of the voyage, and also published several papers of his own research. The largest part of his archive was presented to Leipzig University after his death, but the present work remained in the family of his son, Adolph Tilesius. Such original art from the Krusenstern circumnavigation is exceedingly rare. Watercolor on paper, 9 x 14¼ inches. Original manuscript caption attached to verso. Small chip (less than one inch) in upper right corner, else near fine. Mounted at upper corners onto heavier paper stock. Archival matting, and protected with mylar sheet.

N° de réf. du vendeur 34120

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: CHINESE WAR JUNK OR COMMANDER'S VESSEL IN FRONT OF THE DANISH SETTLEMENT, DRAWN AFTER NATURE IN THE CANTON RIVER [translation of manuscript caption title].
• Éditeur: [China. ca. 1805].