Views of Calcutta [Set of Two]

a) William Wood
Esplanade Row
31 December 1833
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Print Size: 8.75 x 14.5 in (22 x 37 cm)
With Mount: 15 x 20.75 in (38 x 52.6 cm)

“This lithograph derives from plate 3 of William Wood’s ‘Views of Calcutta’. The Treasury on Council House Street was built by the Reverend Mr Johnson in 1780. Marquess Wellesley became Governor-General of Calcutta in 1798 and decided that the existing Government House was not a suitable building for his position and needs. Captain Charles Wyatt, the architect of the new Government House, based his designs for the building on Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. Four large ceremonial gateways marked each end of the carriageways on the north and south facades. These were based on Adam’s archways at Syon House in Middlesex. The lower storey of Government House has an arcade with Ionic columns; on the north side of this is a portico with a large staircase, under which carriages drove to the entrance; on the south side a circular colonnade with a dome.” (Source: British Library Board)

b) William Wood
Esplanade Row
31 December 1833
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
Print Size: 8.75 x 14.5 in (22 x 37 cm)
With Mount: 15 x 20.75 in (38 x 52.6 cm)

“This lithograph derives from plate 5 of William Wood’s ‘Views of Calcutta’. Calcutta saw the founding of the Bengal Club in 1827. At the time this image was produced, the club was housed in Gordon’s Buildings in the middle of Esplanade Row. It moved to Tank Square around 1830 and subsequently purchased the house in Chowringhee Road formerly occupied by Thomas Babington Macaulay. The Bengal Club is still in existence at this site.” (Source: British Library Board)

William Wood (1774 - 1857)
Wood arrived in Calcutta in 1828 to assist his brother, George, who was the superintendent of the Asiatic Lithographic Press, established at Park Street in the 1820's. His series of prints in the book A Series of Twenty-Eight Panoramic Views of Calcutta, Extending From Chandpaul Ghaut to the End of Chowringhee Road, Together With the Hospital, the Two Bridges, and the Fort presents an almost continuous panorama of buildings as viewed from the Maidan. Starting with Chandpal Ghat, they extend along Esplanade Row and then turn into Chowringhee. Several mansions appear still under construction using bamboo scaffolding; in the foreground, people tend their animals, wash their clothes or themselves in the public tanks, and relax in groups, smoking their hookahs.

“The elegant forms of the buildings of European Calcutta heralded an important stage in the history of architecture of the subcontinent: the evolution of Western styles into forms which would become commonplace in the Indian context. This building depicted shows what became the conventional pattern, a two or three storeyed block, well-proportioned and set in a garden, and with columned verandahs protecting its rooms from the heat”. (Source: British Library)

(Set of two)

This lot will be shipped unframed.

NON-EXPORTABLE

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