One of sixty-three drawings from an Album depicting Sinhalese occupations and castes.
Watercolour
ca. 1830 (painted)
ca. 1830 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an example of a Company-style painting from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). It dates from about 1830 and depicts a Sinhalese queen. However, the Sinhalese monarchy had been abolished in 1818. The royal family had been pensioned off and settled in India.
This watercolour comes from an album of 63 coloured drawings of Sinhalese occupations and castes. A local artist made it around 1830 for a Mr Wells. He was presumably either the donor, Robert Wells, who gave it to the V&A in 1869, or a relative of his.
Indian artists made Company Paintings for the British in India. They often used devices found in European painting. However, the style of this illustration owes much to early 19th century painting in Sri Lanka.
The British public were very interested in Sri Lanka and its people in the early 19th century. James Cordiner produced two volumes in 1807 giving a description of the island and containing an account of a tour round it in 1800. In 1808 Samuel Daniell produced A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals and native inhabitants of the Island of Ceylon.
This watercolour comes from an album of 63 coloured drawings of Sinhalese occupations and castes. A local artist made it around 1830 for a Mr Wells. He was presumably either the donor, Robert Wells, who gave it to the V&A in 1869, or a relative of his.
Indian artists made Company Paintings for the British in India. They often used devices found in European painting. However, the style of this illustration owes much to early 19th century painting in Sri Lanka.
The British public were very interested in Sri Lanka and its people in the early 19th century. James Cordiner produced two volumes in 1807 giving a description of the island and containing an account of a tour round it in 1800. In 1808 Samuel Daniell produced A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals and native inhabitants of the Island of Ceylon.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | One of sixty-three drawings from an Album depicting Sinhalese occupations and castes. (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | A Sinhalese queen; watercolour, Sri Lanka, ca.1830 |
| Physical description | A Sinhalese queen is shown in costume and holding a fan. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Robert Wells |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is an example of a Company-style painting from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). It dates from about 1830 and depicts a Sinhalese queen. However, the Sinhalese monarchy had been abolished in 1818. The royal family had been pensioned off and settled in India. This watercolour comes from an album of 63 coloured drawings of Sinhalese occupations and castes. A local artist made it around 1830 for a Mr Wells. He was presumably either the donor, Robert Wells, who gave it to the V&A in 1869, or a relative of his. Indian artists made Company Paintings for the British in India. They often used devices found in European painting. However, the style of this illustration owes much to early 19th century painting in Sri Lanka. The British public were very interested in Sri Lanka and its people in the early 19th century. James Cordiner produced two volumes in 1807 giving a description of the island and containing an account of a tour round it in 1800. In 1808 Samuel Daniell produced A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals and native inhabitants of the Island of Ceylon. |
| Bibliographic reference | Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period
Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992 185 p. ISBN 0944142303 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | D.1820-1898 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
