Picture Details
Lt. Colonel W. R. Gilbert's servants taking afternoon tea
Partner:
British LibraryImage reference:
BL.Add.Or.2524Origin:
East, IndiaArtist / Date:
Unknown, c.1825Size:
463.5 x 641 mmDescription:
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This painting is in the Company style (European-influenced art produced for European patrons by Indian artists) and also painted in the east Indian Calcutta style. It is part of a set of 12 paintings made for Lt. Colonel W. R. Gilbert (1785-1853) who served in the Army in India and was also Political Agent for the South West Frontier (1825-27). His wife Isabella was the sister of Eliza, married to the famous Sir Charles D'Oyly, the distinguished amateur artist and patron of Indian artists. The Gilberts were much influenced by artistic circles and collected sets of paintings documenting their lives and local scenery between various residences in Bihar, Orissa and other provinces. Here their red-liveried male servants (khidmatgars) are seen pouring tea from a silver teapot, and water from a decanter, while female servants (ayahs) in white cotton saris, place bread and butter on the table, and chat. By this time taking afternoon tea was an established ritual for the English in India.
