Lot Essay
The Daniells arrived in Calcutta in early 1786. The publication of twelve aquatints of the city was one of the first projects they undertook in India. The basis for one of them, this watercolour shows some of the palaces which had recently been built along the newly laid out suburban road called Chowringhee (today part of the large city centre). A second aquatint, made over ten years later, was evidently based on the same watercolour, since it shows no alteration in the architecture, though figures have been changed. The Daniells commented: 'The houses which are of brick, stuccoed, and afterwards coloured, are inhabited by opulent English gentlemen, and are well constructed to counteract, as much as possible, the inconvenience of so hot a climate' (Oriental Scenery). This watercolour is especially significant being one of the first works made by the Daniells in India and one of the earliest views of Calcutta to be made by a professional artist in situ.
For an aquatint of this view see lot 2.
We are grateful to Dr. Giles Tillotson for his help preparing this catalogue entry.
For an aquatint of this view see lot 2.
We are grateful to Dr. Giles Tillotson for his help preparing this catalogue entry.