Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum launched an exhibition of pith paintings on the Vessel SUISHUIBA No.19 at the Xidi Ferry Pier on May 25, which will last until the end of October with the theme "View Tradition and Modernity along the Pearl River."

The poster of the event on the board

Pith painting workshop

Photos of the exhibition site

Photos of the exhibition site

Pith paintings were produced as a cultural export in Guangzhou during the 1900s, depicting the natural, cultural landscape, social life, Chinese history and culture, and other aspects of Guangzhou. Therefore, it is also dubbed the "postcards of Guangzhou in the 19th century."

Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum has collected 500 sets and about 700 pieces of pith paintings, mainly donated by Wang Heng and his wife Feng Jie, who have collected these works worldwide. Pith paintings, with high pictorial historical value, witnessed the history of commercial and cultural exchanges between Guangzhou and the West in the Qing Dynasty. 

Pith Painting of watercolor harbor scenery (Thirteen Hongs Business District) in the 19th century, Guangzhou thirteen Hongs Museum’s collection

Pith painting of watercolor vessel in late Qing Dynasty, Guangzhou thirteen Hongs Museum’s collection

Pith painting of watercolor grass crap in late 19th century early 20th century, Guangzhou thirteen Hongs Museum’s collection

Pith painting of watercolor carrying a flag in 19th century, Guangzhou thirteen Hongs Museum’s collection

The exhibition displayed 42 exquisite replicas of pith painting and several origional pieces. There is also a pith painting workshop allowing tourists to cerate their own pith painting on the vessel.

One of the exhibition's commemorative postcards