An attack on an Indian fort, probably Bharatpore

細節

Colonel Robert Smith (1787-1873)
An attack on an Indian fort, probably Bharatpore
oil on canvas
26 x 42 in. (66 x 106.9 cm.)

來源

with Covent Garden Gallery, London, 20 July 1976, where purchased for the present collection.

出版

R. Head, Country Life, 'From Obsession to Obscurity', 21 May 1981, p. 1432, fig. 2.

注意事項

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

拍品專文

This picture depicts an incident in the Mahratta war and is most probably the 1826 siege of Bharatpore. Smith was brought in from Delhi to help lay the gigantic mines to breach the massive walls of the fortress which led to its capture. The capturing of the impregnable fortress was seen as a major victory for the British and Smith was widely praised for the part he played. In the course of action, Smith was wounded and during convalescence had time to paint. Several paintings celebrate the capture of Bharatpore including A Procession into the Fort at Bharatpore dated 1826 sold in Christie's, London, 'Visions of India' sale 5 June 1996, lot 36. Another oil showing a cannon, two officers and fortress walls in the Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta dated 1826-36 is also thought to be related to the siege.

For note on artist see lot 26 and for other works by the artist see lots 25, 27, 82 and 85.