Artwork
A State Procession in India
A State Procession in India is an oil painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Thomas Daniell. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A State Procession in India is an oil painting created around 1799 by Thomas Daniell, an English artist known for his landscapes and Orientalist subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a ceremonial procession in India, centered around a richly decorated elephant carrying a dignitary under a canopy, accompanied by horsemen and attendants on foot.
Technique & Style
The work employs chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere, characteristic of its time.
History & Provenance
Thomas Daniell produced this painting during his seven-year stay in India, a period that also saw the creation of aquatint series published later, often in collaboration with his nephew William.
Context
A State Procession in India is part of the company painting tradition, which documented scenes from British colonial India.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Daniell (1749 – 19 March 1840) was an English landscape painter who also painted Orientalist themes.
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