DOI Heft:
No. 331 (October 1920)
DOI Artikel:Orange, James: The life and work of George Chinnery, R. H. A. in China
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21401#0099
GEORGE CHINNERY, R.H.A.
PORTRAIT OF A HONG
MERCHANT IN CANTON
BY GEORGE CHINNERY
Chinnery's genius met with early recog-
nition in England and Ireland, and in India
he became a noted artist. The references of
Thackeray in " The Newcomes " and of
Sir Charles D'Oyley in " Tom Raw"
testify to his skill and reputation. He re-
ceived important commissions and could
have made a large fortune if he had not
been possessed of the eccentricity of genius
and of so restless a character. It was rare
for him to complete a picture ; he would
take pains with the face of the sitter and be
quite indifferent to the complexion, the
drapery, and other accessories. It was said
that there were over fifty unfinished por-
traits in his studio when he left Calcutta.
84
In China he entered into a society which
was not artistic, and his life was a con-
stant financial struggle, yet on the whole a
happy one. Contemporary writers speak
of his charming and genial disposition
and of the affection in which he was held.
Mr. William C. Hunter, in " Bits of Old
China," has many allusions to Chinnery
thus : e) a a a a a
" Facile in expression, quick in compari-
son or illustration, he always made himself
welcome with his amusing stories of local
as well as of Indian life. a a 0
" As a story-teller his words and manner
equalled his skill with the brush, while to
one of the ugliest of faces were added deep-
PORTRAIT OF A HONG
MERCHANT IN CANTON
BY GEORGE CHINNERY
Chinnery's genius met with early recog-
nition in England and Ireland, and in India
he became a noted artist. The references of
Thackeray in " The Newcomes " and of
Sir Charles D'Oyley in " Tom Raw"
testify to his skill and reputation. He re-
ceived important commissions and could
have made a large fortune if he had not
been possessed of the eccentricity of genius
and of so restless a character. It was rare
for him to complete a picture ; he would
take pains with the face of the sitter and be
quite indifferent to the complexion, the
drapery, and other accessories. It was said
that there were over fifty unfinished por-
traits in his studio when he left Calcutta.
84
In China he entered into a society which
was not artistic, and his life was a con-
stant financial struggle, yet on the whole a
happy one. Contemporary writers speak
of his charming and genial disposition
and of the affection in which he was held.
Mr. William C. Hunter, in " Bits of Old
China," has many allusions to Chinnery
thus : e) a a a a a
" Facile in expression, quick in compari-
son or illustration, he always made himself
welcome with his amusing stories of local
as well as of Indian life. a a 0
" As a story-teller his words and manner
equalled his skill with the brush, while to
one of the ugliest of faces were added deep-