Who painted An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir?

An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir was painted by William Carpenter in 1855.

Where can I see An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir?

An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir?

An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir

William Carpenter , 1855

An arch of the second bridge at Srinagar, Kashmir is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist William Carpenter. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

William Carpenter’s watercolor portrays the arch of Srinagar’s second bridge, set against a bustling riverside where wooden stilt‑houses line the water, boats glide nearby, and cattle graze on the bank. The composition captures a moment of ordinary activity, rendered in muted earth tones, soft blues and pale greens, with brisk brushwork that conveys a lively atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on everyday life in mid‑19th‑century Kashmir rather than monumental architecture. By depicting laborers, passengers, and livestock alongside the bridge, Carpenter emphasizes the integration of the structure into the daily rhythms of the local community, offering a glimpse into the social fabric of the region.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the painting employs quick, fluid strokes that suggest movement and light on the water’s surface. Carpenter’s palette is restrained, favoring subdued hues that model the scene without overt dramatization, while fine detailing on the wooden façades conveys texture and depth.

History & Provenance

Carpenter traveled throughout India from 1850 to 1856, spending 1854‑55 in Kashmir where he produced a series of landscape studies. In 1888 the Victoria and Albert Museum acquired this piece directly from the artist for £500, incorporating it into a larger collection of his Indian subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

William Carpenter

William Carpenter (1818–1899) was an English watercolour artist. He travelled for six or seven years in the 1850s painting scenes of India, its people and its life. The Victoria and Albert Museum bought over 280 of his…