James Prinsep, like his brother William (see lot ...), was one of a family that served in India for several generations. He was the seventh son of John Prinsep (William was the fifth) and worked in the Calcutta mint from 1819 until 1838. He was interested in chemistry, minerology, numismatics and antiquities, an F.R.S. and Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. He deciphered the Kharoshti and Brahmi scripts; sadly a transcript of the Asokan edict, made by Thomas Postaus from a rock at Girnau in western India, only arrived after Prinsep had left India, only arrived after Prinsep had left India, his health ruined by overwork; he died before reaching England.
A talented amateur artist, he published Benares Illustrated, in a Series of Drawings, in three series, in Calcutta in 1830, 1831 and 1833, and in London in the following year in each case. They were illustrated by lithograph made by a number of artists in England.
Prinsep's Introduction to the first Series explains the circumstances of the work. 'The specimins here presented to the public have no pretension to vie with the works of professional art, by which the cities of Europe have been illustrated. THe collection of them amused a portion of the leisure of ten years' official residence upon the spot; and they were intended, with several others, and a Map of the city, to illustrate the labors of a literary friend, whom other important duties have diverted from the present execution of his design. Prinsep was therefore left to write his own general introduction and otes on each plate; these last are usually descriptive, with occasional anecdotes
James Prinsep (1799-1840)
Details
James Prinsep (1799-1840)
Bruhma Ghat, Benares
pencil and watercolour with scratching out
6 5/8 x 10in. (169 x 255mm.)
Bruhma Ghat, Benares
pencil and watercolour with scratching out
6 5/8 x 10in. (169 x 255mm.)
Provenance
Ella Prinsep, O.B.E.
Literature
J. Prinsep, Benares Illustrated, 1st Series, Calcutta, 1833, pl. 16
Engraved
George Barnard, lithograph 1833