.jpg?w=1)
拍品專文
Devis stopped off at Calcutta in November 1784 on his way back from China and remained in India until January 1795. Although he faced stiff competition as a portrait painter, he initially found himself in great demand. After three years, however, portrait commissions were increasingly hard to find. He was clearly interested in the Indian scene and began to travel further afield, working in Madras and various locations in Bengal and Bihar. During 1792 he settled for a time at Santipore. The Calcutta Gazette, 18 October 1793 reported: 'Mr. Devis is at present at Santipore (about fifty miles from Calcutta), busily employed in the execution of his paintings from which the engravings of the arts and manufactures of Bengal are to be taken; and we are happy to understand they are in such progress as promises soon to gratify the patrons of this extensive undertaking with the possession of a most desireable specimen of abilities of our favourite artist'. By 1795, twenty-six paintings illustrating the Arts, Manufactures and Agriculture of Bengal were executed. Some were exhibited in Madras where they were described by the Madras Courier as 'his pictures of Hindoo manufactories possessing great merit'.
In January 1795 Devis sailed home to find his scheme for engraving the paintings floundering. Unfortunately, he fell into debt and the project was never completed. A collection of twenty-three pictures from the series including this picture were acquired by a patron, John Biddulph of Ledbury, between 1802-1810.
In January 1795 Devis sailed home to find his scheme for engraving the paintings floundering. Unfortunately, he fell into debt and the project was never completed. A collection of twenty-three pictures from the series including this picture were acquired by a patron, John Biddulph of Ledbury, between 1802-1810.