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Not currently on display at the V&A

Mohurrum in Calcutta

Oil Painting
1883 (painted)
Artist/Maker
George G. Palmer (painted by)
Place of origin
Calcutta (painted)

In this atmospheric painting, Palmer gives a sense of the great energy of a ceremony which takes place on the last day of Muharram. This concludes an annual ten-day period of fasting and mourning which is observed during the first month of the Islamic year. It commemorates the deaths of the Muslim saints, Hasan and Husain. Palmer depicts the procession of the ta’ziyahs or biers through the streets accompanied by the mourners, standard-bearers, torch-bearers and musicians.

Little is known about this artist, except that he was appointed copper-plate map engraver in the Surveyor General’s office in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1872.


Object details

Categories
Paintings
Pageants and Ceremonies
Object type
Oil painting
TitleMohurrum in Calcutta
Materials and techniques
oil on canvas
Oil Colour
Canvas
Brief description
"Mohurrum in Calcutta" by George G. Palmer, oil on canvas, 1883 from sketches made in Calcutta in 1873. Given to the Museum by the artist in 1885.
Physical description
"Mohurrum in Calcutta" by George G. Palmer, oil on canvas, painted in 1883 from sketches made in 1873. Given by the artist in 1885.
Dimensions
  • Painting height: 1122mm
  • Painting width: 1426mm
  • Painting depth: 28mm
  • Frame height: 1298mm
  • Frame width: 1610mm
  • Frame depth: 59mm
Summary
In this atmospheric painting, Palmer gives a sense of the great energy of a ceremony which takes place on the last day of Muharram. This concludes an annual ten-day period of fasting and mourning which is observed during the first month of the Islamic year. It commemorates the deaths of the Muslim saints, Hasan and Husain. Palmer depicts the procession of the ta’ziyahs or biers through the streets accompanied by the mourners, standard-bearers, torch-bearers and musicians.

Little is known about this artist, except that he was appointed copper-plate map engraver in the Surveyor General’s office in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1872.
Bibliographic references
  • Rohatgi P. and Parlett G., assisted by Imray S. and Godrej P. Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists: Paintings and Drawings from the Victoria and Albert Museum, 17th to the early 20th century. Published by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, in association with V&A, London, 2008. ISBN 81-901020-9-5. p. 289, pl. 45
  • Patel, Divia; Rohatgi, Pauline and Godrej, Pheroza, "Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists: an exhibition of paintings and drawings from the 17th to the early 20th century organised by the V&A and CSMVS". Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai and Victoria and Albert Museum, 2008, ISBN:81-901020-8-7 p. 75
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS.66-1885

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Record createdJuly 4, 2007
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O136837/mohurrum-in-calcutta-oil-painting-george-g-palmer/
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