Page 19 - Eye of the beholder

creating its own soulful rich music that touches the heart more than the mind. In a typical style, generally associated with academic trained painters, the trees in the background are rendered with brownish tones, which suggested the mannered style of using the colours, and Sunkel carries it forward in this painting. His deft drawing skills are evident from the architectural construction of the mansion that has been delineated precisely with accurate perspective. The composition establishes the classical mode, wherein the building in the centre is visually balanced by the thick vegetation on both sides and the verticality of all these elements is balanced by the horizontal river flowing in the foreground. Architecturally the mansion comprises of a single storey, with a colonnaded portico fronting it and a terrace above that is surrounded by a parapet. The upper level has a small structure at the far end of the building, serving perhaps to house the staircase which leads up to this terrace storey. The columns are simple and staid, devoid of decorative capitals maintaining the classical character of simplicity, balance and harmony. The portico is shaded from the summer sun through blinds, which to this day are a common feature across many households in the country. It is woven out of a certain grass, which provides coolness to the interior of homes. In front are the flights of steps, which lead to the water front. The flight of steps on either side has grass and the ground is sloping as well. It is a painting that reveals Sunkel’s insightful perception in capturing the details with dexterous skill. He conveys the tranquility, the thick denseness of the grove of trees and the river purposefully flowing by. All these elements establish his artistry conveying that he was not just a skilled painter but had the capacity to capture the mood of the entire scene.
Sunkel could not become very well known simply because he did not have the right nationality to be able to get the impressive letters of introduction. Nevertheless, the quality of his work speaks volumes about his abilities as an artist. Unfortunately the artist died unknown; his failing health, which prevented him from working and the depletion of financial sources, ultimately led him to request for financial help from Berlin Academy. A letter to this effect dated 26th March 1882 is to be found in the archives of Prussian Art Academy. There is no further information on his life after this as to how he lived and when he died.
Art Historically Sunkel will remain important, because he was the initiator and mentor to the first generation of indigenous artists who practiced oil painting in India.
art&deal Dec'11-Jan'1
Issue 43/Vol.7 No.13/November 15, 2011 Rs.100 $12.5 €10 £8
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. interview : jawhar sircar
. raMKinKar vaij anD his water cOLOUr LanDscaPes
. raMa anD ravana: the sUPerherO anD the sUPer viLLain in the inDian ePic . POrtrait Of an artist - aKbar PaDaMsee
I had first come across the mention of an artist called Eduard Sunkel while reading about the history of modern Indian art in his book titled "Occidental Orientations". After many years of searching following this first mention, I chanced upon this painting at an auction in Dorotheum auction house in Vienna.
After acquiring the painting, I spent significant efforts to research for the art as well as the artist. The 'Akademie der Kunst' in Berlin was very helpful in retrieving the records of the "Prussian Academy of Arts" where the exhibition entries of Eduard Sunkel as well as his biographical information was kept. Using this information, this painting was formally 'written-up' and published in the "Art & Deal" magazine in 2011.
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