Spoilum

Spoilum (active 1765–1805; Chinese: 關作霖; pinyin: Guan Zuolin) was a Chinese artist active in Guangzhou between 1785 and 1810, during the Old China Trade.

[1] He painted portraits of Chinese and Western merchants and sea captains in the Western style painting with oil on canvas rather than ink on paper or silk in the Chinese style.

[3] His portraits of Western merchants typically required a two- or three-hour sitting, and cost $10.

[4] He also mastered the European technique of reverse glass painting.

Little is known of his life, although he was one of a family of painters, including his grandson Lam Qua, and is said to have traveled extensively in the West.