Artwork
Flagstaff Ghat Dinapore
Flagstaff Ghat Dinapore is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Frederick William Alexander De Fabeck. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work titled "Flagstaff Ghat Dinapore" is a painted depiction of a bathing platform on the Ganges near Patna, historically referred to as Dinapur, in the Bengal region. Executed by Frederick William Alexander de Fabeck, the piece records a specific architectural and cultural site along the river.
Context
Frederick William Alexander de Fabeck (1830–1912) served as an assistant surgeon in the Bengal branch of the Indian Medical Service. Trained in Paris and licensed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1858, he spent much of his career in India, where he also pursued artistic interests.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a realistic approach typical of mid‑19th‑century British colonial art, emphasizing precise architectural detail and atmospheric perspective to convey the riverine setting. The brushwork balances fine line work for structural elements with broader washes for water and sky, reflecting the artist’s dual training in scientific observation and artistic practice.
History & Provenance
The painting remains attributed to Frederick William, the elder de Fabeck brother, distinguishing it from the architectural sketches produced by his younger sibling, William Frederick de Fabeck, who was also a surgeon and later director of the Jaipur School of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick William Alexander De Fabeck
Frederick William Alexander De Fabeck painted scenes of crumbling buildings and busy river crossings in India.
