This striking view appeared in the account of George Macartney's travels to China, published by George Nicol. Macartney was Britain's first envoy to China, and was tasked with convincing Emperor Qianlong to ease restrictions on trade between Great Britain and China by allowing the British to have a permanent embassy in the country. The view shows a Chinese military base with soldiers in their stunning uniforms in the foreground and trainees practicing combat with swords in the background. Drawn by William Alexander and engraved by J. Pass.

References:

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a sturdy sheet with a "1794 J. Whatman" watermark, attractive color, and wide margins. There are tiny worm holes around the sheet's edges and remnants of hinge tape on verso.