Spoilum

A portrait of the Chinese merchant Eshing by Spoilum. Peabody-Essex Museum.

• Active: c. 1785-1810

Spoilum was the earliest known Chinese artist to produce works in oil & canvas for a Western market. His Chinese name is unknown; "Spoilum" is derived from a misunderstanding of that name.

He is known chiefly for his portraits of American and English merchants. Though Spoilum is not known to have ever left China, he adopted the painting style of works by American artists.

References

• Gallery labels, Peabody-Essex Museum.[1]