Page 163 - Historic-Masterpieces-Dec24

The First Painting of A famous work that highlights the cultural

Cricket in India history of the country through the lens

of India’s most popular sport

The Indian sojourn of Thomas and William Daniell was By the time of Daniell’s visit in 1792-1793, Madras (now
an ambitious undertaking. Spanning seven years, Chennai) had not only emerged as a lucrative hub for
their travels included three major tours: the Ganga trade but had also become a cultural melting pot. This
journey from Calcutta to Srinagar (1788–1791), a cosmopolitan environment also inspired artists like
circular exploration around Mysore from Madras Thomas Daniell, who found ample subjects for their
(1792–1793), and their return route through work in the region’s architectural marvels, bustling
Bombay in 1793. They meticulously recorded markets, and serene landscapes.
their impressions through sketches, which they
later transformed into exquisite watercolours, oil This particular work depicts a scene of a cricket
paintings, and aquatints. match, set against the lush greenery. In the
foreground, players are engaged in the game.
The six-volume masterpiece, ‘Oriental Scenery’, The fielders are dressed in coloured trousers
featuring 144 coloured aquatints, became a and the scorer sits casually off to the side. A
monumental achievement, celebrated for its cow leisurely wanders in the foreground of the
artistic and commercial success. Thirty sets were field, while to the left, near a cluster of trees,
even purchased by the East India Company, a stands a tent that likely serves as the pavilion. The
testament to the impact of their work. expansive sky, rendered in subtle shades, provides
an atmospheric backdrop that is quintessentially
Thomas Daniell’s paintings provided not just an Daniell. These details not only showcase the
aesthetic representation but also a cultural and artist’s mastery but also document the cultural and
historical record of India during the peak of British recreational aspects of British colonial life in India.
imperial engagement. His works remain significant,
offering glimpses into a bygone era where art became a The location shown in the painting is possibly The Island in
medium for cultural exchange and intellectual curiosity. Madras, the sole cricket ground at the time. The painting is
also a rare find due to its medium of oil on canvas. While Thomas
The presented lot is an extraordinary painting by Thomas Daniell, Daniell is renowned for the watercolours and aquatints produced
that holds a highly unique place in the art and sports history of the during his travels in India, his oil paintings are far less common.
colonial era.
This distinction is further amplified by the fact that most of Daniell’s oil
The earliest known visual depiction of cricket in India, this beautiful oil works are housed in prestigious museum collections in India and abroad,
on canvas is a testament to cricket’s enduring legacy as a symbol of making them largely inaccessible to private collectors. This work thus
British identity and its introduction to Indian shores. It also bridges two represents a significant and rare opportunity for enthusiasts of colonial
worlds-British tradition and Indian artistry-through Daniell’s unique and art to acquire a unique example of Daniell’s mastery in a medium that
celebrated perspective. diverges from his more widely celebrated works.