This charming vignette belongs to a tradition of images that were produced by itinerant artists who travelled through Singapore in the 19th century. This was painted by Captain William Godfrey Rayson Masters while on his expedition to China in 1859-1860 - thus providing us with a specific historical context for the painting. Masters served as a Captain of the Royal Marine Light infantry under the command of Rear-Admiral Hope in 1859-60. He was seriously wounded during the attempt to storm the forts at the entrance to the Pei-Ho river in June 1859. The forts were eventually taken in 1860 and the combined English and French forces entered Tientsin
