Artwork

Street scene in Lahore

Street scene in Lahore, by William Carpenter, paint, 1856
Street scene in Lahore, by William Carpenter, paint, 1856

Street scene in Lahore is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist William Carpenter. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

William Carpenter painted a street scene in Lahore around 1855–56. This was part of his time in India, where he traveled widely and often wore local dress.

Carpenter came from a family of artists. He spent years painting portraits and landscapes in places like Punjab and Kashmir before heading back to England.

Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this work.

Overview

Street scene in Lahore is a painting by William Carpenter, created during his travels in India around 1855–56. The work depicts a crowded street in Lahore, then part of the Punjab region.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows a bustling street scene, including the rear of a mosque, and captures the daily life and attire of local inhabitants. Carpenter's interest in costume and everyday activities is evident in the detailed representation.

Technique & Style

Carpenter's Indian paintings, including this work, demonstrate a focus on realism and attention to local customs and dress. The artist dated the painting twice, '1855' and 'December 1856', possibly indicating a return to complete the work or a correction.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of William Carpenter's oeuvre from his time in India, where he traveled extensively and adopted local dress. Carpenter's family background in art, with his mother being a portrait painter and his father a curator at the British Museum, likely influenced his artistic pursuits.

Context

Carpenter's travels in India, from Sri Lanka to Kashmir, and his time in Punjab and Afghanistan, informed his artistic output. He later moved to the United States and back to England, where he died in 1899.

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…