View of Bombay from the Malabar Hill

The present painting relates to a similar view painted by van Ruith and sold at Christie's, 10 June 1997, lot 158. The painting shows a view of Bombay (now known as Mumbai) from the Malabar hill showing what was known int he 1870s as the Kennedy Sea Face and Queen's Road. The sweep of this view is now popularly called the 'Queen's necklace' due to the effect of the lights running along the bay. The exact topography of the view is not as clear as that in the van Ruith painting but it is possible to identify buildings such as the High Court, the University buildings and the Rajabai Clocktower.
Horace van Ruith exhibited five pictures at the Royal Academy and worked in London and Capri, living for many years in Italy. He visited India at the invitation of the Gaekwad of Baroda and had a studio in Bombay.