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Unknown
India 19th century Watercolour Landscape Benares Professional British Artist

c1860

About the Item

Benares, India Watercolour with graphite under-drawing, on paper Image Size: 13.94” x 10.04” c 1860 Titled in pencil, verso Provenance: a Private UK Collection Condition: Overall in fabulous condition for its age and medium. Some age toning, minor creasing to the corners and a number of short repairs to the edge of the paper. Please note the boat to the lower left has been drawn on an additional paper and cut to the shape of the boat and laid over. This is by the same hand, ie the artist and is almost impossible to see when looking at the image This accomplished watercolour painting shows the hand of a professional artist. Looking closely we are pointed to the faint pencil lines that lay out the centre and perspective. The artist appears to be keen to accurately depict the architecture. This 19th Century painting appears to show Benares in the early morning sun, suggested by the shadows and the fact the town is just waking up, the streets are unusually sparse and men stop to pass the time of day whilst boats are brought in to the ghats ready for the days business. The work is striking. It seems to suit its reduced palette which could have been chosen for a number of reasons. In the mid to late 20th century artists found themselves displaced with the new invention of photography, which as a new technology was proving popular with patrons of the arts. As a result some artists tried to emulate the effects of a black and white photograph. However, a more likely scenario is that this image was made by a British artist working for one of the news papers at home in India (such as The Times of India) or in the Uk (the London Illustrated News for example). Landscapes normally lend themselves to a horizontal format. Whilst Benares is a city of heights, running from the ghats up the hill, it thus perfectly suits a portrait format but we can also image the choice of orientation being for a full page image in a 19th Century periodical. Looking to the detail, this is an artist who likes to be technically correct, perhaps they could also be an army artist. The beautiful perspective of the boat to the foreground facing the viewer is wonderfully captured and the rendition of the boat with this viewpoint is spot on. A difficult subject to depict, this is possibly why the artist chose to change this portion of the painting. The figures on the boat make reference to earlier British artists who worked in India, in particular the Daniells, the depiction of a trio of figures, the middle one with a long stick was a favourite device used by the Uncle and Nephew. With further research it may be possible to identify the artist who painted this historic scene which will look fantastic on the wall in a period frame.
  • Creation Year:
    c1860
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.94 in (35.41 cm)Width: 10.04 in (25.51 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Norfolk, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1670214463772
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