Artwork
One of nineteen drawings illustrating processes in the manufacture of opium at the Opium Factory at Gulzarbagh, Patna, in Bihar.
One of nineteen drawings illustrating processes in the manufacture of opium at the Opium Factory at Gulzarbagh, Patna, in Bihar. is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Shiva Lal. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This small painting on mica is one of nineteen works depicting the production of opium at the Gulzarbagh factory in Patna, Bihar.
About this work
You see a small painting on thin, shiny mica. It shows workers processing opium in a factory. The details are sharp but the colors are soft.
This wasn’t made for art—it was a guide for British officials. The artist, Shiva Lal, worked for them in 1857. He painted each step so the British could check how their opium was made.
Look up Shiva Lal if you want to see more works like this.
Overview
This small painting on mica is one of nineteen works depicting the production of opium at the Gulzarbagh factory in Patna, Bihar. It was created by Indian artist Shiva Lal in 1857 for British officials.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows opium being weighed on a pair of scales, illustrating a specific stage in the opium manufacturing process. The scene provides a detailed representation of the factory's operations.
Technique & Style
Executed on mica, the painting features sharp details and soft colors, characteristic of Company Paintings made by Indian artists for British patrons.
History & Provenance
Shiva Lal was commissioned by Dr. D. R. Lyall to create the series for wall paintings in the Gulzarbagh factory, but the project was abandoned after Lyall's death during the Indian Mutiny in 1857.
Artist & collection
Artist
A Mewari painter active in the mid-1800s, Shiva Lal made precise, lively records of daily life and workshops.
