William Prinsep (1794-1874)

Colvin's Ghat and Strand, Calcutta

Details

William Prinsep (1794-1874)
Colvin's Ghat and Strand, Calcutta
inscribed with an extensive descriptive key'Colvin's Ghat & Strand/Police Chokey or Watch House/attached to the Custom's Office/a panch way, fishing boat, Somerset Place-chambers lately built by Colvin/-dingeys waiting for hire/Ferryboat, Bank of Bengal/-(birds) just over my garden-which runs up to my house situated between these 2 buildings/Baggage boat and Budgerow-, Chandpal Ghat in distance/Capt. Farquharson landing in a dingey with his butcher 3 others with a trap to carry off a young lion-, A French ship at moorings-'(on the original mount which is sold with the drawing)
pencil and watercolour
9¼ x 13¼ in. (23.5 x 33.7 cm.)

Exhibited

London, Spink, Thomas and William Prinsep in India, 1982, no. 23, illustrated front cover.

Lot Essay

William Prinsep was the brother of James Prinsep, (see preceding lot). William lived in Calcutta between 1817-1842. He worked first with Palmer & Co., before establishing a highly profitable mercantile, banking and agency house with his brother George in 1830. In common with much of Calcutta society, notably Sir Charles D'Oyly, 7th Bt., and James Baillie Fraser, Prinsep took lessons from George Chinnery, and his watercolours provide a vibrant record of life in Calcutta in the 1820s. His depiction of Captain Farquharson landing in a dingey with his butcher, 3 others with a trap to carry off a young lion, is particularly evocative.

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