FOUR PRINTS OF CALCUTTA

a) William Wood
Chowringhee Road (Theatre Road)
1833
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Print size: 14.4 x 8.8 in (36 x 22 cm)
Sheet size: 15.2 x 10 in (38 x 25 cm)

This lithograph is taken from plate 22 from William Wood's 'Views of Calcutta'.In the early 19th century, the grand houses of the lower Chowringhee area of Calcutta were a mix of private residences and government departments. This image shows the imposing theatre on the corner of Theatre Street and Lower Chowringhee Road. A working theatre from 1813, it was the principal theatrical venue in the city until it was destroyed by fire in 1839.

Interestingly, the female roles at the theatre were played by professional actresses but male roles were taken by amateurs, such as William Princep, whose memoirs describe his theatre work in detail, both as an actor and set designer, and give us insights into the running of the building.

b) William Wood
Chowringhee Road (Middleton Street).br.1833
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Print size: 14.4 x 8.8 in (36 x 22 cm)
Sheet size: 15.2 x 10 in (38 x 25 cm)

This lithograph was taken from plate 20 from William Wood's 'Views of Calcutta'.Wood's view of Middleton Street perfectly illustrates the typical Calcutta scene of the time, comprising a grand collonaded building surrounded with trees. In the foreground, the natives of Calcutta are pictured going about their business, tending to their animals and relaxing in the group.
The mixture of European and Asiatic styles contributed to the charm of the depictions various artists made of the city and the popularity of these images with the British public.

c) William Wood
Chowringhee Road Bishop's Palace
1833
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Print size: 14.4 x 8.8 in (36 x22 cm)
Sheet size: 15.2 x 10 in (38 x 25 cm)

This lithograph is taken from plate 19 of William Wood's 'Views of Calcutta'. The mansions featured in Wood's panoramas of Chowringhee Road are normally unidentifiable. Exceptions include this image of the Bishop's Palace at No 5 Russell Street. This housed four successive Bishops of Calcutta between 1825 and 1849. The last of these, Bishop Wilson, built a new cathedral on the south-east corner of the Maidan and relocated the palace to a house opposite the cathedral.

d) William Wood
Chowringhee Road
1833
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Print size: 14.4 x 8.8 in (36 x22 cm)
Sheet size: 15.2 x 10 in (38 x 25 cm)

This lithograph derives from plate 24 of William Wood's 'Views of Calcutta'.This series of prints presents an almost continuous panorama of Calcutta's buildings as viewed from the Maidan. Starting with Chandpal Ghat, they extend along Esplanade Row and then turn into Chowringhee, providing many views of the proud mansions that made Chowringhee Road a much-vaunted address for the European residents of Calcutta. One contemporary writer described these houses in the fashionable suburb: "clusters of columns, long colonnades and lofty gateways have a very imposing effect, especially when mingled with forest trees and flowering shrubs.

(Set of four)

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be sold in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each print.