Irvine Indian Landscape Ruins, Possibly Pondicherry
An original early 19th-century watercolour painting, Irvine, Indian Landscape Ruins, Possibly Pondicherry.
An atmospheric watercolour showing a landscape in India at sunset. The picturesque composition includes an overgrown ruin at the right, balanced with a tree on the left and the distant horizon receding beyond. Small figures, possibly spear-fishing, and sailing boats breathe life into the scene.
The verso of the painting bears various inscriptions (some of which are illegible), including the name Irvine. This is a name related to the family of Mary Jane Duncan Muston (1825–1850), to whom this painting belonged. Mary's brother, Harington James Muston, married Elizabeth Christian Irvine, who was born in Calcutta in 1817. Elizabeth's father was Captain Francis Irvine (1786-1855), who served in the Bengal Army, along with a number of Irvine cousins. It is likely that a member of the Irvine family painted this watercolour whilst serving in India.
Dimensions: Height: 12.4cm (4.88") Width: 20.1cm (7.91")
Presented: Unframed.
Medium: Watercolour
Age: Early 19th-century
Signed: No.
Inscribed: Inscribed verso.
Dated: --
Condition: There are two small areas of repair to the paper, at the upper left corner and at the centre of the left edge. There are historic adhesive marks and/or paper remnants to the corners on the verso, from previous mounting. Please see photos for detail.
Stock number: JS-666
