TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from India: BBC, Observer Voice.
UK coverage: BBC.

In a remarkable exhibition titled ‘A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings, c. 1790 to 1835’, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) has brought to light over 200 masterpieces that offer a window into India’s rich colonial history. This compilation of artwork, painstakingly curated, showcases the intricate and oft-overlooked Indian Company paintings commissioned by European patrons during the late 18th to early 19th centuries. These paintings, brought to life by Indian artists who once served under the Mughals, delve deeply into India’s diverse flora, fauna, architecture, and cultural practices, offering a vivid tableau of the era’s life.

The exhibition, sourced from reports by BBC and Observer Voice, reveals the complex interplay between European patrons, including the English East India Company and French collectors, and local Indian artists. This unique collaboration resulted in a fusion of Mughal miniature detailing and European realism, producing a visual record unparalleled in its depiction of India’s natural history, iconic architecture, and the social customs of its people. From botanical watercolors and architectural renderings of Mughal monuments to vibrant portrayals of daily life and professions, the collection serves as a testament to the rich diversity and talent of unnamed Indian painters.

‘A Treasury of Life’ not only uncovers India’s colonial past but also highlights the transition in artist patronage from traditional courts to European patrons, fascinated by the scientific inquiry and observation that Indian Company paintings offered. These works, as noted, mark the advent of Indian modernism, bridging a gap between two worlds and offering insight into the European attempt to understand and document the then-unfamiliar Indian environment. The exhibition is a significant contribution to the field of art history, spotlighting the nuanced and intricate beauty of Indian Company paintings and their role in chronicling a pivotal period in India’s history.