Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, room 512M , Case MX3, Shelf XM, Box 50

Calcutta ships docked on the river Ganges

Photograph
mid 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Albumen print of Calcutta ships docked on the river Ganges.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCalcutta ships docked on the river Ganges (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Albumen print
Brief description
Photograph by Samuel Bourne of ships docked on the Ganges, Calcutta, India, about 1850
Physical description
Albumen print of Calcutta ships docked on the river Ganges.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.2cm
  • Width: 1050cm
Object history
This photograph is one of a series (PH.2387 to 2698-1900) received from Sir J.C. Hope
Historical context
Samuel Bourne (1834-1912) left his job as a bank clerk in Nottingham to become a professional photographer, and in 1863 sailed to India to develop his new career. He remained there for several years to become recognised as one of the most successful British photographers to document the expanding British empire. His photographs were produced primarily for the European market, and provided a glimpse of India as a distant colonised land and its people. Bourne's photographic success was a combination of his impressive photographic skill and ability to present photographs of India that co-incided with the western, Orientalist vision of the exotic East. In 1870 Bourne took up permanent residency in England and withdrew from photography after establishing a cotton-doubling mill. In 1896 after retiring from business he devoted his time to watercolour painting.
Subject depicted
Places depicted
Collection
Accession number
PH.2457-1900

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 17, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest