ΑΠΟΤΥΠΩΜΑΤΑ
Image credit : Yale Center for British Art
– A View of Matavai Bay in the Island of
Otaheite , Tahiti 1776 – William Hodges ( 1744 – 1797 ) – Yale Center for British Art
Among the first of the great British artisttravellers was William Hodges ( 1744 – 1797 ). He had been a pupil and assistant of Richard Wilson ( 1713 / 1714 – 1782 ), and gradually emerged as an artist in his own right . An extraordinary career-making opportunity came in 1772 when he was invited to be the official artist for Captain Cook ’ s second voyage to the southern hemisphere . His objective , as outlined by the British Admiralty , was ‘ to make drawings and paintings as may be proper to give a more perfect idea thereof than can be formed from written descriptions only .’
Throughout the three-year voyage , Hodges made numerous studies of the places and people he encountered , many of which provided the basis for large oil paintings . A View of Maitavie Bay , Otaheite , Tahiti is one of his most fascinating paintings due to the wealth of information he presents to the viewer . He has incorporated detailed descriptions of the geographic terrain , indigenous sailing craft and Tahitian culture . Such paintings combined the escapist appeal of traditional landscape painting with the Enlightenment thirst for knowledge .
Ιmage credit : Royal Academy of Arts
– Hindoo Temples at Bindrabund , East
Indies 1797 – Thomas Daniell ( 1749 – 1840 ) – Royal Academy of Arts
As Britain ’ s colonial and global commercial interests increased , so too did the opportunities for artists eager to stand out from their contemporaries . India was one country that attracted ambitious British artists in significant numbers . Thomas Daniell ( 1749 – 1840 ) was one such artist . He obtained permission from the East India Company to travel to India in 1784 and was accompanied by his 16-yearold nephew , William Daniell ( 1769 – 1837 ), also a talented artist . Between 1786 and 1794 the Daniells toured India , making sketches of the subcontinent ’ s distinctive architecture and natural scenery . On their return to Britain , both men produced paintings and prints inspired by their Indian travels .
58
ΑΠΟΤΥΠΩΜΑΤΑ
Image credit : National Trust Images
– View of Oaitepeha Bay , Tahiti 1776 – William Hodges ( 1744 – 1797 ) – National Trust , Anglesey Abbey
Image credit : Sir John Soane ’ s Museum
– A Caparisoned Elephant – Scene near
Delhi ( A Scene in the East Indies ) 1832 – William Daniell ( 1769 – 1837 ) – Sir John Soane ’ s Museum