Hong Kong - The Noon Day Gun

This original 1961 travel poster, titled "The Noon Day Gun in Hong Kong," was commissioned by the Hong Kong Tourist Association to promote the city as a dynamic international destination. The artwork was created by Dong Kingman (1911–2000), a Chinese-American watercolorist renowned for his vivid depictions of urban life, and the poster was designed by Henry Steiner, one of the leading figures in modern graphic design in Asia. Together, their collaboration merges fine art with commercial purpose to capture the unique visual identity of mid-century Hong Kong. The image focuses on the firing of the Noon Day Gun, a colonial-era tradition maintained by the British trading firm Jardine Matheson since the 1860s. A crowd watches from the edge of the harbor as a uniformed attendant prepares to discharge the ceremonial cannon, while the bustling city and colorful harbor traffic animate the background. Kingman’s expressive brushwork and bright palette convey both the elegance of tradition and the forward-looking energy of postwar Hong Kong. Dong Kingman was born in Oakland, California, and raised in Hong Kong, where he studied traditional Chinese painting before returning to the U.S. in the 1930s. His career blossomed in New York as part of the "California Style" watercolor movement, known for its fresh, spontaneous depictions of urban and natural landscapes. Kingman’s art bridged East and West: he incorporated Chinese brush techniques into Western watercolor formats, developing a distinctive style that earned him international acclaim. His work appeared in major exhibitions, museums, and even Hollywood films—he contributed artwork to motion pictures including 55 Days at Peking and Flower Drum Song. By the 1960s, he was widely regarded as one of the most influential watercolorists of his generation. This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. It is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all of our posters.