Six scenes of a gang of thugs engaged in acts of highway banditry: Capturing a traveller; Preparing the garotte; Garrotting a traveller; Burying a traveller; and Worshiping the Hindu goddess Khali

Details

Patna School, circa 1830-40
Six scenes of a gang of thugs engaged in acts of highway banditry: Capturing a traveller; Preparing the garotte; Garrotting a traveller; Burying a traveller; and Worshiping the Hindu goddess Khali
five variously annotated with capital letters
pencil and watercolour heightened with touches of bodycolour
four 10 x 14½ in. (25.4 x 36.6 cm.) and slightly smaller; two 13 1/8 x 10½ in. (33.3 x 26.6 cm.) (6)

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Lot Essay

Stylistically the artist has absorbed the influences of the work of Charles D'Oyly, 7th Bt. (1781-1845). D'Oyly arrived in India in 1797 and spent his first years in Calcutta. In 1808 he was posted Collector of Dhaka for the East India Company. He later took up the position of Opium Agent in Patna which, owing to the ease of the job, enabled him to devote a great deal of time to his art. He became close friends with George Chinnery (1774-1852) who instructed D'Oyly in his drawing.

For another depiction of the subject please see lot 144.

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