William Heine (1827-1855) was a member of Commodore Matthew C. Perry’s expedition from America to Japan between 1852 and 1854. This impression was probably made when the ship was anchored at Jurong Point in Singapore. The flag on the boat identifies it as part of the American expedition. The calm waters of the river and the huts on stilts along the riverbanks evoke a misty and serene atmosphere. On the boat, a figure is relaxing with his feet above the water. By the mid-1850s, Singapore had developed as a trading port within the region. In this print, River Jurong is portrayed as a quieter part of Singapore where development has yet to intrude upon the natural landscape. This is in contrast to other 19th century prints which often depict the hustle and bustle of shipping activities centered around the Singapore River. It is also characteristic of the artist’s style, simple renditions of encounters which adopts a rather picturesque realism instead of attempting to sensationalize the scenes from the expedition.
