William Prinsep was a banker who had previously worked in Calcutta. He took lessons in painting from George Chinnery and was a prolific artist painting landscapes, figures and architecture as well as recording a return journey to England in 1842 in a fascinating series of watercolours. For further information, see the catalogue of the exhibition, The Overland Route of William Prinsep, Martyn Gregory Gallery, 1984 and Jeremy Howard, The Prinsep Family, A Dynasty of Artists, Watercolours and Drawings, Winter 1989, p.22-6. A view of Belvedere House at Alapore by William Prinsep was sold in these Rooms, 9 November 1993, lot 145A (#2,185)