Bharatpur Palace (Lohagarh Fort or Iron Fort)

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Details

Size: 12.75 x 16.5 inches
Medium: Tinted Engraving
Condition: Good condition

Description

A fine tinted engraving of Burtpore (Bharatpur) Palace from a private publication “Zur Erinnerung an die Reise des Prinzen Waldemar von Preussen nach Indien 1844-1846”, (In Memory of the Journey of Prince Waldemar of Prussia to India in the Years 1844-1846) which was printed posthumously in two volumes in 1853. It was based on the diary, essays notes and letters left by the Prince. The engraving is by A. Haun, after Ferdinand Bellerman from the original work by Prince Wilhelm Waldermar, printed by the Konigl Lith Institute in Berlin 1854.
The engraving is titled ‘Bhurtpore Altes Schlofs” (Bharatpur Old Palace) and depicts Lohagarh Fort of Bharatpur with the elephant stables below. Lohagarh Fort (or Iron Fort) at Bharatpur in Rajasthan, was constructed by the Bharatpur Jat ruler, Maharaja Suraj Mal, who built numerous forts and palaces across his kingdom. Lohagarh Fort is considered to be one of the strongest built in Indian history, as Jat rulers had added to it over the years so that it was 13km in circumference and surrounded by semi-circular bastions. It also had a 150ft wide and 59ft deep dry moat, which could be filled by diverting water from a nearby lake for further defence. The fort, which had three palaces within its walls, withstood repeated attacks of British forces in 1805 when they laid siege for over six weeks but was finally captured by the British in January 1826. The British first captured the lake to prevent the moat being filled, and then daily attacks and the use of mines meant they finally breached the fort.
Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Waldemar, son of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Karl of Prussia, visited Sri Lanka, India and Nepal in 1844-1846. As was the Prussian aristocratic custom, he joined the military and by 1838, he had risen in ranks to simultaneously become a Major in the Guard-Dragoons and Commander of the 3rd Guard Militia. In 1844, he was promoted to Colonel of the Guard Artillery Brigade. That same year, he joined Eduard Graf von Oriola, a former captain on the General-staff, and Lieutenant Albrecht Wilhelm von der Groeben on a tour of India. Prince Waldemar maintained a travelogue during his journeys composed of his diaries, and sketches of Egypt, Iraq, India, Calcutta, Delhi, Lahore, Bombay, Nepal, and other locations.
Ferdinand Konrad Bellermann (1814 - 1889) was a German painter and naturalist, who is most famous for his scenes of Venezuela, which have been sold at Sotheby's.
The German (Austrian) painter, lithographer and etcher, August Haun (1815–1894), studied under Karl Blechen and August Wilhelm Schirmer. He first displayed his works at the annual Berlin Academy exhibitions from 1836, starting with landscape drawings and then proceeding to genre scenes, architectural pieces and romantic landscapes.

  • ABOUT Engravings & Etchings

    During the 18th and 19th centuries, several British and European men travelled within India and produced paintings, drawings, sketches and prints documenting the architecture, landscape, flora and fauna. Amongst these travellers were historians, artists, aristocrats and army officers. Upon their return to their home countries, some of them had their books published, which serve as an excellent record of India’s history, till date. The books had prints of the artworks created by these travellers, made using different printmaking techniques such as engraving, etching, aquatint, lithography and others.

    For instance, Thomas Daniell (1749 - 1840) and his nephew William Daniell (1769 - 1837) travelled extensively in India between 1786 and 1793. Thomas Daniell was the son of an innkeeper, who began his working life as a bricklayer before becoming an assistant to the coach painter of the king. On their return to Britain, Thomas and William produced many paintings, drawings and prints based on the sketches they had made while travelling. The 144 aquatint prints, collectively known as 'Oriental Scenery', represent the single largest and most impressive project by English artists to depict Indian architecture and landscape. Another famous traveller was Prince Waldemar of Prussia, Germany, who landed in Calcutta in January 1845, while on an expedition to explore distant lands. He was accompanied by a team of military men already familiar with India, a botanist and a medical doctor. Besides being a trained military man, Waldemar was also an enthusiastic artist and created many watercolour paintings and sketches depicting his travels across India. These watercolours were turned into lithographs in Berlin on his return. ‘In Memory of the Journey of Prince Waldemar of Prussia to India in the Years 1844-1846’ was printed posthumously in two volumes in 1853, and features many of his artworks. Other travellers to India whose work prints were later published include French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat, British Army Officer Captain Charles Gold, English watercolour painter Chares Bentley, amongst others.

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