Get a giclee of Self-Portrait

Collectible Description

Chinnery painted more than a dozen self-portraits, the first of which he exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, in 1798; this is the most intimate and engaging of them all. An enigmatic figure, Chinnery was eccentric and volatile, with a tendency to hypochondria, a raconteur and wit with a gift for friendship. This likeness was painted in China and must date to the years 1825–28. Its first owner was the United States consul Benjamin Chew Wilcox, a businessman in the opium trade who commissioned a full-length portrait of himself from the artist (The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.).

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Artist Biography

Early Life and Training (1774-1801)

Born: London, United Kingdom, in 1774
Family Background: His father was an exponent of the Gurney system of shorthand.
Artistic Education: Studied at the Royal Academy Schools in London. This provided a foundation in classical techniques and artistic principles.
Early Career: Experienced some success as an artist in Ireland before moving to Madras (Chennai) in 1802.

Life in Asia: India and China (1802-1852)

Move to India: Sailed to Madras in 1802, establishing himself as a painter within the British community.
Calcutta Residency: Became the leading artist of the British community in Calcutta (Kolkata). This period marked his most prolific and influential years.
Portraits of Prominent Figures: Painted portraits of notable individuals, including Colonel James Achilles Kirkpatrick and his family. These works offer insights into colonial society and familial relationships.
Move to Southern China: Due to mounting debt, he relocated to Macau in 1825.
Macau Period: Continued painting portraits of European merchants, Chinese residents, and sea captains. His style was closely imitated by the Cantonese artist Lam Qua.
Hong Kong Visit: Made a six-month visit to Hong Kong in 1846, documenting the newly founded colony through detailed studies.

Artistic Style and Techniques

Portraiture Focus: Chinnery is best known for his portraits, capturing likenesses with sensitivity and detail.
Orientalist Influences: His work reflects elements of Orientalism, depicting Asian subjects within a European artistic framework. However, his portrayals often exhibit a degree of empathy and observation beyond simple exoticization.
Mediums Used: Primarily worked in oil paint and watercolor. He also produced numerous pencil drawings.
Unique Shorthand Notes: Chinnery used a modified version of the Gurney shorthand system to jot down quick notes on his sketches, providing valuable contextual information about his subjects and observations.
Influence of Local Artists: His style was influenced by local Chinese artistic traditions, particularly in his landscapes and depictions of everyday life.

Major Achievements and Historical Significance

Leading Western Artist in South China: Chinnery was the only Western painter resident in southern China between the early and mid-19th century, making him a unique chronicler of the region’s people and landscapes.
Documenting Colonial Life: His paintings provide valuable historical documentation of British colonial life in India and Macau, as well as the interactions between Europeans and Asians.
Influence on Chinese Art: Chinnery’s influence extended to local artists like Lam Qua, who adopted his portrait style.
Depiction of Ordinary People: His works vividly depict the lives of ordinary people, offering a rare glimpse into everyday existence during that period.
Literary Connection: Served as inspiration for the character Aristotle Quance in James Clavell’s novel Tai-pan.

Death and Legacy (1852 - Present)

Death: Died in Macau on May 30, 1852, and is buried in the Old Protestant Cemetery.
Collections: Substantial collections of his drawings are held at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum (London), Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, Massachusetts), Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Macau Museum, and Macau Museum of Art.
Ongoing Recognition: Exhibitions of his work have been held internationally, demonstrating continued interest in his art and historical significance.

George Chinnery

1774 - 1852 , United Kingdom

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Orientalism, Portraiture
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Lam Qua']
Date Of Birth: January 5, 1774
Date Of Death: May 30, 1852
Full Name: George Chinnery
Nationality: English
Notable Artworks:
- Self-Portrait (1825)
- Macao
- Portrait Studies Of Six Figures
- Gilbert Elliot, 1st Earl of Minto
Place Of Birth: London, United Kingdom

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