Page 253 - Eye of the beholder

The sky has been rendered dramatic by Thomas Daniell echoing to the influence of Dutch Landscape artists There are heavy cumulus rain clouds that can be seen on the right hand side giving the the the the effect that there can be an an an imminent downpour But on the the the the left hand side the the the the clouds thin out and and the the sky is is represented clearly The light is is bright and and the the cast shadows shows high noon time and the the prevalent of parasols carried by many Compositionally the the visual interest of the the the scene is is concentrated on on on the the the right hand side side where the the the artist has provided considerable variety and diversity of architectural residences While the opposite side side has just a a a a a a a poor man’s hovel yet a a a a a a a visual balance has been struck It is is these aspects of compositions which clarify Thomas Daniell as as not only a a a a a a a serious painter but his sharp perceptions in in in observing many details which his alien has caught with considerable interest AT MUGWAUKUL
This was the the the first known paintings executed by the the the Daniells after their departure from Madras on 9th April 1792 At the the back of this painting is is is a a a a a running script in in in in in the the artists own handwriting the the title of the the picture is is written as ‘At Mugwaukul’ and dated 17th September 1792 This particular work appears as the the 14th aquatint in in the the Book V of “Oriental Scenery” under Antiquities of India with the the following title “An antique reservoir near Kolar in in the the Mysore” The accompanying Journal entry says ‘This stone cistern which is is is very singular in in in its form and in in in its style of of decoration was evidently constructed for the purpose of of containing water It is is is situated near the the high road not far from Colar’ The painting in in in discussion is is is therefore important important because it is is is a a a a a a a new discovery and sheds light on a a a a a a a part of this very very important important journey that was not previously known ‘Mugwaukul’ is the present day town of ‘Mulbagal’ in Karnataka situated about 30 kms from Kolar by road A similar drawing of of this scene is is is to be found in in the collection of of British Library and would have perhaps served as as a a a a a a a preparatory sketch since it is is dated 24th April 1792 whereas the finished painting in in in in Sadhus’ collection is is dated 17th September 1792 The starkly rising cliff and the temple situated at at its base were unmistakably present in in in in both the the the cases However while the the the painting in in in in the the the collection showed a a a a a a frontal view of the the the the cliff the the the the drawing in in the the the the British library has the the the the representation of a a a a a a a a a lateral view It is is equally important to realize that the the drawing in in the the British Library collection was Mulbagal suggest that it may have been a a a a a a a a a a relatively small settlement by the wayside While passing by the the the cliff and the the the small temple at at its base would have captured the the the fecund imagination of the the the Daniells Stopping by the the the wayside Thomas Daniell Daniell would have ordered a a a a a a a halt to to the the the journey in in order order to sketch the the picturesque scene of orderly contrast namely the the vertical imposing rock face and the small predominantly horizontal temple at its base Thomas Daniell along with his travel party included a a a retinue of 48 members In the the the the hot April sun scorching the the the the southern plains the the the the artist took the the efforts of sketching this unusual geological formation contrasting elegantly with the the temple constructed at its base The fact that it it is a a a a a a a a pencil and water colour painting goes to the credit of Thomas Daniell who appropriately used the the the medium to bring out the the the character of the the the rising rock face that undeniably dominated the landscape around Rendered in in broad brush strokes to suggest the the the simple geological formation he he he he nevertheless in its simplicity of strokes brought out the the the inherent size as as well as as the heaviness of this huge monolith No vegetation is is seen sprouting from the the crevices of the the rock formation and remains starkly a a a a a a a a small yet a a a a a a a a tall hill The temple constructed at the the base is so identified because the the red vertical stripes painted on on its outer walls to to to suggest its sacred character and and was dedicated to to to Someshwara and and dates to to to the fourteenth-century Vijaynagar period 247