Picture Details
Coconut tree, watercolour and pencil on paper.
Partner:
Kew GardensImage reference:
ILLUS187.0/174.0WOrigin:
IndiaArtist / Date:
Unknown, 1780-1820Size:
363 x 240 mmDescription:
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The Persian inscription reads 'Neda tree grows in 'Goukol das Babu' garden. This Palm Garden belongs to Kankor Gachehi. It is located near Mank Tella'. Although this illustration was almost certainly executed in India, the artist may not have been from the East. The loose pencil sketching that can be seen in the grass around the base of the tree is of a manner more commonly used by Western artists. British employees of the East India Company often spent their leisure time painting while in India, not surprising considering that drawing lessons were provided by the Company. Occasionally Europeans were employed to paint the animals, plants and birds collected in India, although the majority of the artworks produced for the Company were by Indian craftsmen and artists.
