Theatrical Troupe's Boat, 1800-1820

Theatrical Troupe's Boat

1800-1820 · Painting · 32 × 38 cm

Can I see it?

Not on view at present

Where is “Theatrical Troupe's Boat” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked
In this state since
Source
The museum

About the painting

This painting is from a set of 50 depicting the different types of boats that cluttered the Pearl River. It shows a theatrical troupe's boat, in which players travelled by river to perform in different towns and counties. Paintings such as this were mass-produced as souvenir items.

Lord George Macartney (1737-1806) was the first British ambassador to China. His description of the setting reads: 'the river of Canton is covered with boats and vessels of various sorts and sizes, all, even the very smallest, constantly and thickly inhabited'.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Details

Accession number
8655:26

In the catalog

Sources

On view at Victoria and Albert Museum

Museum page