Chinese Musicians 1800 - 1900

This watercolor, titled "Chinese Musicians," was made by an anonymous artist on paper. The image presents an interesting view of Chinese social life. It begs the question: who was the intended audience? The attention to detail in the clothing and instruments suggests it was made for someone interested in, but perhaps not entirely familiar with, Chinese customs. The cultural references offer a glimpse into musical practices, but also raise questions about the social status and roles of musicians in Chinese society. Made without any known institutional affiliation, it can tell us a lot about the relationship between art, commerce and cultural exchange in China at that time. Art historians might look at trade records, travel journals, and studies of Qing dynasty social customs to contextualize this work. What kind of picture does it give us of China, and what kind of China was it trying to sell?