Singapore from the roadstead

Singapore views by the Cantonese export painters are rare. A version of this subject (with changes in minor details) is illustrated in C. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, 1991, p.422, pl.7. The topography was described when the picture was with Martyn Gregory in 1996: 'To the left are the piers and buildings of Commercial Square (renamed Raffles Place in 1858). Among the identifiable buildings along Beach Road are the turreted Old Court House (subsequently Parliament House), seen just to the right of the left-hand ship; to the right of the central ship, the second Church of St. Andrew (1842), which was demolished in 1855 after its spire had twice been struck by lightning; and, emerging from the trees further to the right, the spire of the Catholic church (now cathedral), completed in 1847. Next to it is the Institution (later renamed the Raffles Institution), with its three pedimented blocks, where classes were first held in 1837. On the peak of the central hill (Bukit Larangan) is the former Residency, which became Government House; it was demolished in 1859.' (Martyn Gregory, The China Trade, cat. 69, no.108)