Three European ships dominate the foreground of this view of Singapore harbor. The verdant hills and coast of the island appear in the background, peppered with factories and major landmarks, including the church of St Andrew and Fort Canning. The painting is executed in the style of a Chinese artist working in the European manner. Views of ports became popular as souvenirs for European traders in the late 18th century. Paintings were the perfect medium; they were quick to produce, relatively inexpensive, and easy to transport. The Treaty Ports of Canton, Amoy, and Hong Kong were popular subjects, while depictions of Singapore are comparatively rare.
