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Select Views In India Drawn On The

Spot In The Years 1780, 1781, 1782

And 1783 And Executed In Aquatint

by William Hodges ra (1744-1797)

A plate from the
presented lot

Select Views in India is a remarkable collection of under Richard Wilson and became adept at capturing
aquatint illustrations published in 1786, featuring naturalistic scenes. Hodges gained prominence as the
artwork drawn on the spot during the years 1780 to 1783. draughtsman on Captain James Cook’s second Pacific
This work, created by British officer and artist William voyage (1772–1775), producing vivid depictions of
Hodges, documents India’s architectural splendour and exotic locales and cultures. Upon his return, he oversaw
natural beauty during the early colonial period. Hodges, engravings for Cook’s official account and created
a pioneer of the aquatint technique, captured iconic monumental paintings commissioned by the Admiralty.
sites such as the Taj Mahal, Benares (Varanasi), and the
Ganges River, blending artistic finesse with historical In 1779, Hodges embarked on a six-year journey to
documentation. The illustrations not only showcase India, documenting its landscapes and architecture. His
India’s grandeur but also reflect the Romantic aesthetic works, published in the 1780s and 1790, offered British
of the period, emphasising dramatic landscapes and audiences a rare visual insight into the subcontinent.
cultural richness. ‘Select Views in India’ remains an These endeavours brought him success, enabling him
influential visual record of 18th-century India, admired to establish a studio in London’s Mayfair. Elected to
for its artistic and historical significance. the Royal Academy in 1789, Hodges’ career reflected
the intersection of art and exploration during Britain’s
William Hodges was a British landscape artist known for imperial expansion. His legacy endures through his vivid
his contributions to travel art. Born in London, he trained and atmospheric works. Plates from the presented lot