Three Views of the Pearl River: Canton, Macao, Whampoa, anonymous, c. 1773
paint, h 52cm × w 76cm More details
Various European trade organizations had branches in the port of Canton. Because there was so much construction, the paintings can be easily dated. This is the situation in 1773. The ships are moored in the estuary of the Pearl River (Whampoa); the merchants’ offices were located upriver. During the off-season the European traders stayed in Macao, which was also in the mouth of the Pearl River.