George Chinnery was the most important European artist of the time to live and work in the Far East. Born in London, he began his career there, moving to Dublin in 1796 where he earned a reputation as a portrait painter. In 1802 he sailed to India and spent the next twenty two years living in Calcutta painting miniatures, portraits and landscapes. In 1825, Chinnery moved to Macao where he painted industriously until his death in 1852. His studies of Eastern life were executed with considerable charm and were very popular. He never allowed his work to become orientalised, remaining an essentially English artist. He employed a number of assistants and copyists and his influence on China Trade art was profound