William Alexander 1767-1816

Lord Macartney's Ambassadorial visit to the Chinese Emperor Ch'ien-Lung between 1792 and 1794 was the first attempt by Britain to establish diplomatic relations with China. William Alexander joined Macartney on this tour as his official draughtsman. Widely published in engraved form on their return to England, Alexander's watercolours and drawings were the most detailed and comprehensive images of China hitherto seen in the western world. As this watercolour illustrates he made finely detailed drawings of the local people, concentrating upon details of their individual dress. Alexander later became Professor of Drawing at the Military College at Great Marlow, and in 1808 Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum.