ANNA DIXON off Hong Kong
Date1859
Object number00044537
NamePainting
MediumOil on canvas on board with gilt frame
DimensionsOverall (Framed): 650 x 810 x 100 mm, 6700 g
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionDuring the 18th and 19th centuries Chinese artists working in China's ports produced a large number of ship portraits and port scenes in oil in a western style for the export market during periods of intense trade and conflict over trade in the opium wars of the mid-nineteenth century. Commissioned by western merchants and ship captains trading silk, tea, opium, jute, silver, gold and other sought-after commodities, these paintings constitute a genre is known as China Trade paintings. This painting depicts a broadside view of the Australian-owned brig ANNA DIXON in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong in the late 1850s. A French warship, British warship and an American paddle steamer are included among other vessels shown in port.HistoryANNA DIXON was an Australian-owned ship that was active in foreign ports during the mid 19th century. ANNA DIXON was a 188 tons ship built in England in 1851 and brought to Adelaide where it was registered from 1853 and passed through two subsequent owners. It was operated both in coastal trade and on trading voyages to Mauritius for sugar cargoes. In 1859 it was owned by Adelaide merchant John Finlay Duff, and made a voyage to China returning with a cargo of tea, under the command of Thomas Wellsman, a master mariner who settled in Adelaide. This was his last command. The painting was presented to him on his retirement from the owner's company.SignificanceThis painting is representative of ship portraits commissioned by western merchants and sea captains to Chinese trade artists in the 19th century. It also is indicative of the high level of foreign merchant activity in Hong Kong during the period, specifically Australian colonial foreign trade.
