Robert Home’s East View of Chenapatam

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Details

Medium: Lithograph
Condition: Good condition with light foxing
Year: 1794
Size: 15.5 x 12.5 inches (with Mat)

Description

Engraved by James Fittler. Good condition, with light foxing.

This beautiful and rare copper engraving is from the book ‘Select Views in Mysore, The Country of Tippoo Sultan: from drawings on the spot by Mr. Home; with historical descriptions.’ Published by Mr. Bower in London. Robert Home would have drawn these scenes in his official capacity as campaign artist and mapmaker for Lord Cornwallis during the Mysore Wars.

History

Robert Home trained in the classical tradition of painting, studying the antique in Italy (1773-78) before arriving in India in 1790. He was the only professional artist to follow the army during the Mysore Wars, making sketches in the field as he travelled to Bangalore and the hill forts of Mysore. Twenty-nine of these engravings were published in his book in 1794.

  • 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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