Ram Das (fl. 1777-1782)

Pelicanus shocrotalus (Spotbilled Pelican, immature)

Details

Ram Das (fl. 1777-1782)
Pelicanus shocrotalus (Spotbilled Pelican, immature)
with inscription 'In the Collection of Lady Impey at Calcutta/Painted by [Ram Das] Native of Patna' (lower left), numbered '156' (upper left) and further inscribed 'gagan-bhem' in Persian (lower left)
watercolour, heightened with white and gum arabic, watermark 'J WHATMAN', unframed
21.1/8 x 28½ in. (53.8 x 72.4 cm.)

Provenance

Sir Elijah and Lady Impey.
The Earls of Derby (L. 720a).

Lot Essay

The Spotbilled Pelican is one of the three species of pelican to be found in India. It is a gregarious species that works together by cooperatively driving fish into the shallows and scooping them up in their pouches.

More from Books and Watercolours

View All