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To grasp the concept of a company painting, we must consider the patronage of art in India during the British Raj. As the East India Company established its presence in the subcontinent, it made efforts to support art and culture, leading to a genre that was neither fully grounded in local traditions nor entirely aligned with unfamiliar themes. It arrived too late to be classified as a court painting and was too primitive to qualify as part of the modern art movement.
Company painting is a term that originated seventy years ago to describe works created by Indian artists under the patronage of British officials and merchants, or commissioned by European patrons. These artworks capture the intricate and multifaceted spirit of their time. Ongoing exhibit ‘A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings c. 1795–1830’ by DAG in New Delhi is showcasing this exceptional phase of Indian art, highlighting the emergence of a distinct sense of Indianness within a colonised artistic landscape. Company paintings developed a unique style that, while incorporating foreign influences, remained deeply rooted in Indian themes and traditions. The artists drew inspiration from Mughal, Rajput, and other regional artistic styles, skillfully integrating Western techniques such as perspective, shading, and realism, all while maintaining their unique approaches to line work and intricate detailing.
These artworks were not merely ornamental; they served as vital visual records of India's landscapes, wildlife, architecture, and people. The subjects depicted in this painting style were often documentary in nature rather than imaginary.
This leads to an intriguing question: did the British manage to fetishise a culture to the extent that even its documentation appeared surreal and imaginary? It is something worth pondering. Company paintings were more than just commissioned art; they also functioned as a medium of documentation during a dynamic period of community and culture. The exhibition at DAG is organised into three thematic categories, showcasing nearly 200 company paintings: Natural History, Architecture, and Indian Manners and Customs.
The Natural History section features an incredibly detailed collection of paintings, which cater to the British fascination with Indian biodiversity. These works reflect the colonial practice of cataloguing flora and fauna, while also drawing on the expertise of Indian artists in terms of texture, form, and precision.
The Architecture segment provides a broad view of buildings and landscapes owned by the British. Often commissioned for documentation purposes, these paintings exhibit linear perspectives and shadows borrowed from European techniques. However, they also reveal a growing sense of Indianness through their attention to colour and architectural craftsmanship.
The final segment, Indian Manners and Customs, is perhaps the most intriguing. While the subject matter is familiar, the paintings possess a surreal quality that feels as if they belong to a parallel universe. This segment is diverse, covering themes from Tamil temple festivals to everyday portraits and religious ceremonies.
Many of the paintings are credited to 'Unidentified Artist', serving as a reminder of the fact that so many of these artists were never given their full due. It also illustrates how art transcends mere documentation and that it can often create a legacy that endures beyond its immediate relevance.
You can learn more about the exhibition here.
