Page 244 - Eye of the beholder

The The solitary tree on the the left left and the the open spaces allow for a a a a a a a a guided visual path The The left left part of of the the painting is very energetic with different types and and sizes of of ships and and boats on the the water sailing close to the shore for embarkation The waterscape is busy with many activities and in in in in the the the the distance on on on the the the the horizon can be seen the the the the faint outlines of buildings Along the the the the shore are palanquin bearers who have brought their human cargo which has been unloaded and are are either resting or or waiting for the the the the next ride to be taken A little distance away further down the the the the shore can be seen an an an English couple shielded from the bright and hot sun by a a a a a a a parasol that has a a a a a a a a a a royal character Closer to the the the tree almost in in the the the middle distance is is another palanquin perhaps carrying the the the English guest inside considering the the the parasol carried by one of the the the attendees The buildings at at at the the extreme right could be the the official administrative structures Adjacent to the tree is a a a a a small tent with green and white stripes two goats frolicking close by and a a a a a a man lighting the fire on which a a a a a a pot is placed perhaps cooking rice The light in in in the the the aquatint is bright and intense as it languorously plays over the the the waters the the the ships boats human forms and animals Though it it conveys an an an an air of busy activities there is yet a a a a a a a sense of of quietitude that prevails The posture of of the the standing man holding the the parasol next to to the the the Englishman has resonance to to Renaissance artists But the the the workers as as they rest have a a a a a a typical posture seated cross legged or relaxing with outstretched legs There is a a a a a a subtle balance that can be be noticed between activity and relaxation The palanquin is interestingly delineated not royal in in character as it it it is simply designed and made out of of wood with its roof which could be the material of of water proof tarpaulin The ground is represented in in detail depicting the the colours of of the the river shore sand with tints of of pinks and and greys The attractive feature of of of the the print in in terms of of of its varied representation of of of forms is the the ship that has been detailed to be be accurate in its size form and function The sails are delicately delineated contrasting with the the heavy wood work manifesting the the main body The scale of the the the ship can be realized from the the the small fishing boats buzzing close by The execution of the the the drawing is not only masterly but rendered with utter confidence and fidelity to appearance The effect produced was not only striking revealing the the facility of their fluid skills in in in in drawing as as well as as masterly control in in in in water colour painting In looking at at it one almost feels the warmth of an an Indian sky the water seems to be in actual motion 238