Indian Artist
Portrait of Sir Charles Metcalfe, c.1835
Watercolour and gold paint
36.8 x 29.2 cm
14 1/2 x 11 1/2 in
14 1/2 x 11 1/2 in
This striking portrait evidently represents Sir Charles Theophilus Metclafe, Bart. (1785-1846), whose career in the Bengal Civil Service spanned the years 1801-1838. He became the Resident of Delhi in 1811,...
This striking portrait evidently represents Sir Charles Theophilus Metclafe, Bart. (1785-1846), whose career in the Bengal Civil Service spanned the years 1801-1838. He became the Resident of Delhi in 1811, Resident of Hyderabad in 1920, Member of the Supreme Council in 1827, and Acting Governor-General of India in 1835-8; after leaving India he became Governor-General of Jamaica and then of Canada, and was created Baron Metcalfe in 1845.
For British portraits of Metcalfe at a comparable age see Patrick Conner, George Chinnery, artist of India and the China Coast, 1993, pl.62; Edward Thompson, The Life of Charles, Lord Metcalfe, 1937, anon. artist, opp.364; and Christie’s (London) 20 July 1990, lot 330 (as by George Chinnery). All three clearly depict the double chin, the folds at the sides of the mouth, and the swept-back hair – all features which, together with the copious sidewhiskers, are emphasised by the painter. In other respects also the painting is distinctively Indian – the rich gold patterning of the fringed purple canopy, the finely detailed handling of hair and whiskers, the somewhat stylised landscape In the distance, and the green and ochre borders. A version in miniature of the portrait, apparently by the same artist, survives in a private collection.
For British portraits of Metcalfe at a comparable age see Patrick Conner, George Chinnery, artist of India and the China Coast, 1993, pl.62; Edward Thompson, The Life of Charles, Lord Metcalfe, 1937, anon. artist, opp.364; and Christie’s (London) 20 July 1990, lot 330 (as by George Chinnery). All three clearly depict the double chin, the folds at the sides of the mouth, and the swept-back hair – all features which, together with the copious sidewhiskers, are emphasised by the painter. In other respects also the painting is distinctively Indian – the rich gold patterning of the fringed purple canopy, the finely detailed handling of hair and whiskers, the somewhat stylised landscape In the distance, and the green and ochre borders. A version in miniature of the portrait, apparently by the same artist, survives in a private collection.
Provenance
Private UK collection, acquired in the mid 1990sExhibitions
South Asian Art: 1820 - 2020, Asian Art in London, 22 -29 October 2020, Grosvenor Gallery, London, no. 2Publications
Hong Kong and the China Trade, Martyn Gregory, London, Catalogue 70, 1997, No.63South Asian Art: 1820 - 2020, Asian Art in London, 22 -29 October 2020, Grosvenor Gallery, London, exhibition catalogue, pg. 7
Courtesy of Demo Gallery
Copyright The Artist