Painting, Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, Sikh, opaque watercolour on paper, Punjab Plains, ca. 1835-1840

Painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, Ajit Singh Sandhawalia (?-1843) is seated on the ground leaning against a cushion. A companion faces him.

Ajit Singh Sandhawalia (?-1843) is seated on the ground leaning against a cushion. A companion faces him.

Given by Miss Margaret W. Patterson

Given to the museum by Miss Margaret W. Patterson (Nominal File: MA/1/1P560: '20 drawings. Kangra - IS 164-1953 to IS 183-1953). In her letter of August 26 1953 she says 'On reading an account of the exhibition of Indian art which took place in London recently I remembered that I had the enclosed drawings in my possession and wondered if they would be of interest to you. & if you could tell me something about them. I had them given to me in 1915 after I had had a small exhibition of my own watercolours in Calcutta. I hope I am not wrong in sending the drawings. I was told it was the right place to do so! I would be very glad if you could give me an opinion. & that is not giving you any trouble.
Yrs sincerely (Miss) Margaret W. Patterson. [Nethercott, Braunton, Devon]

WGA replied that they are 'from the Kangra valley in what is now the East Punjab and are examples of artists' 'working sketches' which were used as models for finished pictures done afterwards. They date from the beginning of the 19th century and are not of any commercial value. They are of great interest, however, for study purposes and if you would care to consider presenting them to the Museum, we would be delighted to have them. Would you let me know what you feel about this?
Yours very sincerely,
W.G. Archer

Miss Patterson's next letter says she would be 'simply delighted'.

Sikh

IS.171-1953