Page 11 - Iconic Master

Lot No. 01

THOMAS DANIELL ra
1749-1840
HINDOOSTANEE SEAPOYS
8 x 7 in (20.3 x 17.8 cm)
Pencil & grey wash on paper
Circa 18th Century
` 6,00,000 - 8,00,000 | $ 7,500 - 10,000
Provenance: Property from a collection based
in North India. The artwork was acquired by the
present owner from Dreweatts, UK
This lot is a registered antique with the Government
of India, under the Antiquities and Art Treasures
Act -1972, under Antiquities and Art Treasures
Rule 1973, under section 16 of the above act, with
the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

One of the earliest British artists to visit India on
a painting expedition, Thomas Daniell was born
in 1749 in Surrey, England. In 1784, he secured
permission from the East India Company to travel
to Calcutta, accompanied by his nephew William.
Together, they travelled across India, capturing
its landscapes, architecture, and people. Their
work culminated in 'Oriental Scenery', a renowned
collection of 140 aquatints published between
1795 and 1808. This series, along with 'Views
of Calcutta', helped establish the Daniells as
pioneers of Indian landscape art, offering the British
public a vivid glimpse of India’s diverse beauty.
In the presented lot, a delicate pencil and grey wash
sketch, he captures two Hindoostanee sepoys. One
soldier is shown from the back, standing tall, while
the other crouches, resting on the ground. Daniell’s
mastery of form and subtle shading brings a quiet
dignity to the figures, reflecting the artist’s deep
engagement with Indian subjects during his travels.