Page 18 - Eye of the beholder

franZ eduard Sunkel
THE THE MANSION BY THE THE RIVER 1865
He is is an artist who apparently introduced the the medium of of oil painting in in in in the the eastern part of of India particularly Calcutta In In a a a a a a a a a well researched article on Eduard Sunkel
published in the magazine Art & Deal in in November 2011 by the Collector Anirban Sadhu he he says “Research done by Professor Partha Mitter for the the first time indicated that Gangadhar Dey was the the student of German itinerarant artist by name Franz Eduard Sunkel
This indicates the he he was the the first western artist to be responsible for the the origin and propagation of oil painting particularly in in in in eastern India The discovery of this particular particular painting in in in in discussion here sheds light light on the emergence of oil painting in in in in India generally and particularly in in in in Calcutta highlights the art historical importance of Sunkel
as itinerarant colonial painter” His year of birth is is is is not established but he he was active as as painter in in in Berlin from 1884 untill his death He showed his works regularly at at at the Prussian Art Academy in in Berlin that was founded in in 1694 In In 1862 he he set sail for India The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 had made news across Europe and and by 1862 British rule was well consolidated in India and and conditions peaceful for travel across the country Sunkel
stay in India was for sixteen years until 1878 Since there is a a a a a a a a paucity of research on many itinerarant painters including Sunkel
and neither did he he leave behind any memoir from where it would be be possible to glean out important information about his stay stay in in in in in India Certain evidences point to Sunkel
stay stay in in in in in the region of Calcutta and this has been garnered from the catalogue of of 1863 of of Berlin Academy exhibition which mentions Sunken’s travel to to India Also Sunkel
paintings were considered to to be in in in important important private collection like that of Maharaja Pradyot Coomar Tagore An important important aspect of of the the latter’s collection collection was that Maharaja had the the most complete collection collection of of works by European itinerarant artists active in in in in Calcutta in in in in 18th and 19th centuries Since Sunkel’s name has not been associated with any other region of India it it may be be surmised that the the artist did not venture beyond the Bengal region The painting in in in in in Anirban’s collection was undoubtedly painted in in in in in Bengal It is an an an oil canvas signed by the the artist on the the lower right corner and dated 1865
The painting was carried back by the artist to Germany The subject of of this painting is is is suggestive of of a a a a a a Bengali mansion by the the the river which in in the the the 19th century the the the nouveau rich had started constructing palatial mansions in the the the Palladian style and were premised on on on on the the the imitation of the the the contemporary British architecture It was was common sight along the the the river banks whether it it it was was the the the Ganges or its tributaries or any rivulet to see see these palatial constructions The two people seen on on on the the step leading to the the the water are most probably those of the the the priests evidenced from their shaved heads and and their sartorial attire The foliage and and flora surrounding the the mansion are typical of the the region of Bengal especially the the tall coconut palms The composition has a a a a a quietitude and serenity resulting from its setting against the thick coconut grove with the river silently flowing by creating energies that is is as as serene as as it it is is spiritual Sunkel
has captured the mood of nature in in in its tranquility The painting is almost audible as the the the river gurgles along and the the the palm swaying in in the the the gentle summer breeze
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