Bark JAMES G PENDLETON off the China coast
Date1880s
Object number00006788
NamePainting
MediumOil on board, wood
DimensionsOverall: 755 x 978 x 73 mm, 5.9 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis ship portrait of the JAMES G PENDLETON was painted by a Chinese artist and depicts the vessel sailing off the coast of China. The ship is nearly fully rigged and flies an American flag from its spanker boom and a house flag from its foremast. JAMES G PENDLETON was used for trade between America, China and Australia in the 1880s.HistoryThe production of maritime ship portraits was driven by clients interested in a specific ship or maritime event. Many merchants, ship owners or captains commissioned Chinese trade artists to paint ships, landscapes or portraits in a western style of art. Chinese artists produced a large number of paintings for foreign consumption and rarely signed their pieces.
The JAMES G PENDLETON was an 890 ton ship commanded by Henry W Peabody and used for trade between Boston and Australia during the 1880s. The Peabodys were an established and prominent family in the Salem and Boston shipping industry. Henry Peabody ran a number of ships between the United States and Australia during the gold rush of the 1850s.SignificanceThis painting is representative of the numerous ship portraits commissioned by western merchants or sea captains to Chinese trade artists. It also is indicative of maritime trade between America and Australia in the 19th century.
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