A World Apart: Foreign Artists and Their Indian Journeys

Through their artistry, foreign artists have left a lasting legacy by capturing the essence of India in their works and have helped reshape the traditional forms and welcome innovation in the Indian art scene. Below are some of the foreign artists who have prolifically documented India in their artworks.

Nicholas Roerich

India had a huge impact on Nicholas Roerich’s art and life. A trained painter and lawyer, he settled down at Naggar, Himachal Pradesh with his family in 1928. While in search of a mythical kingdom called Shambhala, he created an artwork series called Himalayas. It consists of over 500 paintings that offer a glimpse of the Himalayas in myriad moods and colors.

The presented painting titled Himalayas, Sikkim was executed with tempera on canvas circa 1928-1929. Roerich has masterfully captured the breathtaking nightscape of the Himalayas revealing the great mountain’s spiritual essence.

Thomas Daniell

Born in 1749, Thomas Daniell was known for his works created utilizing the aquatint technique. He studied painting at the Royal Academy, London, and had exhibited his works at the academy but was drawn to the beauty of India.

After obtaining permission from the East India Company, Thomas Daniell visited India with his nephew and assistant, William Daniell. The presented pencil and ink wash on paper, titled A Patna Bearer was executed circa 1786 by the artist. It depicts a man sitting in attire
which was commonly worn by the local people from rural India during that period.

William Daniell

William Daniell was an exceptional landscape and marine painter. After his father’s death, he was sent to live with his uncle, Thomas Daniell in 1779. In the same year, he assisted him in preparing drawings and sketches. At 16, he traveled to India with Thomas Daniell and created a series of aquatints titled Oriental Scenery between 1786 and 1793.

The artist traveled extensively with his uncle and visited several locations in India to capture the sceneries of places like Delhi, Calcutta (present-day Kolkata), Srinagar, Uttarakhand, and more. The presented oil on canvas titled Deer In A Wooded Landscape by William Daniell was executed circa the late 18th century, depicting the beautiful flora and fauna during the day. The usage of earthy colors adds great depth to the natural beauty of the landscape.

Walter Langhammer

Born in Austria in 1905, Walter Langhammer was an important figure in the art movement in post-independence India. The founding members of the Progressive Artists Group (PAG) such as S. H. Raza, M. F. Husain, K. H. Ara, and F. N. Souza were some of his students who drew inspiration from the Western art style.

Langhammer was obsessed with the light and colour of India which is reflected in his work. The presented painting is a watercolor on paper pasted on board work, showcasing a pilgrimage site. The loose strokes and bright colors illuminate the scenic beauty of the holy site. It depicts the human figures and water tank mirroring the reflection of the temple architecture.

Benjamin Hudson

British painter Benjamin Hudson had mastered the technique of academic realism. The artist arrived in India during the 1850s and introduced the technique to the local artists. He merged the traditional style with Western techniques and brought a new wave to the local Indian art scene.

The presented painting is an oil on canvas work titled Portrait Of Rajah Pratap Chandra Sinha. This portrait is a natural representation of Pratap Chandra; belonging to the Sinha family of Paikpara who was known for being an active supporter of education.

Author’s bio

Sneha Gautam is the resident modern Indian art specialist and Sr. Vice President, Client Relations at AstaGuru. She joined the auction house in 2012 and has over eight years of experience in the art industry.