Hong Kong from the Mid-Levels looking northwest

Artist Bio
In his early years, Marciano Antonio Baptista lived in Macao, where it is believed he served as Chinnery’s assistant before finding work as a stage designer. He later moved to Hong Kong, where he concentrated on landscape painting.
Description
This work shows the view from Magazine Gap Road northwest towards Central. On the left is Government House with its gardens, while the Government Secretariat and St. John’s Cathedral rise in the middle and Murray Barracks stand on the right. On the other side of the harbour lie Stonecutters Island and Kowloon Peninsula. This view was a favourite of the artist, who created several other paintings with a similar composition. His works are mostly presented in a gradation of close, medium and distant views, with the subjects arranged from near to far and strong colours fading out progressively. The illusion of depth is produced by the aerial perspective. Major buildings are depicted in meticulous detail to highlight their features.
—Collection of Hong Kong Museum of Art, donated by Sir Paul Chater
More information
Hong Kong Museum of Art