This is the largest ‘China Trade’ style painting of the Singapore waterfront currently known, providing an unusually expansive view of the Singapore waterfront during the mid-19th century. It includes landmarks that are rarely depicted in oil paintings of the period such as Fort Fullerton, Johnston’s Pier, the Town Hall (now Victoria Theatre), the Dalhousie Obelisk and the second iteration of St Andrew’s Church (now St Andrew’s Cathedral). The harbour, crowded with European vessels and Chinese junks, underscores Singapore’s role as an important port of call at the crossroads of international trade in the 19th century.Such ‘China Trade paintings’ or ‘Chinese export paintings’ were first produced in the latter half of the 18th century by Chinese artists working in Canton (present-day Guangzhou) and were primarily intended for a Western clientele. This painting was once in the collection of Armand Cateaux, who was the Belgian Consul in Singapore from August 1864 to May 1871. The painting is unique for featuring the Belgian consul’s residence, which has been marked out by a red, yellow and black flag—suggesting it was likely commissioned by Cateaux soon after he had taken up his consular role in Singapore.