Who painted "Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank".?

"Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank". was painted by Robert Captain Smith in 1830.

Where can I see "Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank".?

"Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank". is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is "Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank".?

"Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank". is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

"Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank".

Robert Captain Smith , 1830

"Funeral of a Moosulmaun of rank". is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Robert Captain Smith. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This pencil drawing records a ceremonial procession marking the burial of a distinguished Muslim individual, identified as a "Moosulmaun of rank.

This pencil drawing records a ceremonial procession marking the burial of a distinguished Muslim individual, identified as a "Moosulmaun of rank." Executed by Captain Robert Smith in 1830, the work forms part of a larger visual diary of his travels along the Ganges and through northern Indian cities between 1828 and 1832. The scene captures a linear crowd, flags, and a decorated wagon bearing a small tower and umbrella.

Subject & Meaning

The composition reflects the customs surrounding elite funerary rites in early nineteenth‑century India, emphasizing communal participation and the display of status through ornate transport and attire. The presence of long coats, hats, and ceremonial flags suggests a blending of local tradition with colonial observation, offering insight into how British officers documented indigenous rituals.

Technique & Style

Rendered swiftly with cross‑hatching, the drawing relies on intersecting lines to model volume and suggest atmospheric light. The sketchy, economical strokes convey movement within the procession while the lightly erased sky provides a muted backdrop. The use of a small tower and umbrella atop the wagon adds a focal point, rendered with finer detailing amid broader gestural marks.

History & Provenance

Smith continued to refine the illustration until 1845 after retiring to Ireland in 1833, and it later appeared among 65 detached, mounted sheets from his unpublished manuscript. The museum acquired the piece in 1915 from collector W. M. Biden of Hampton‑on‑Thames; its provenance was revisited during a 2023 research project, confirming its entry into the collection.