Picture Details
Holy basil, watercolour on paper.
Partner:
Kew GardensImage reference:
ILLUS126.1/204.0WOrigin:
IndiaArtist / Date:
Unknown, c.1814Donor / Date:
1867Size:
415 x 248 mmDescription:
Click here for more details
Although labelled Ocimum scutellarioides, this illustration has later been identified as Ocimum sanctum. This watercolour on blue paper has been cropped across at least three of its edges. The writing at the lower edge of the painting is probably that of Francis Hamilton (nee Buchanan), Superintendent of the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, 1814-15. The inscription 'Ex. Bibl.Hook 1867' [Ex.Bibliotecha Hookeriana] informs us that this illustration was part of Sir William Hooker's personal Library collection, which was purchased for Kew in 1867. This is probably the work of an Indian artist, many of whom travelled to Calcutta to seek employment from the East India Company. Though artists working for the Company only received around 3-5 rupees per painting, painters of a high standard had the potential to earn more money from private commissions, mostly from European collectors of natural history illustrations.
