Page 264 - Eye of the beholder

This watercolor of of of the Rock Fort of of of Trichinopoly was acquired by me from an English Auction The subject of of of the painting was drawn by Thomas and William Daniell at least 4 times in in in Oriental Scenery This particular one is modelled after aquatint number II 19 The painting stayed in in in in my collection for quite a a a a a a a few years during which time I had a a a a a a a strong suspicion that it it was the the the original finished watercolor based on which the the the Daniells prepared their aquatint A fee experts from Christies and Bonhams also shared the same opinion Later however we we all changed our attribution to the the Daniells based on on on a a a a a a a a a a close examination of the the paper The Daniells used Whatman paper of a a a a a a a a a a a a particular grade imported into India from England that they carried with themselves The paper paper used in in in this painting turned out to be a a a a a a a type of European paper paper stamped Ganson and and Montgolfier on on on reverse black margin rules Thus based on on on the the the watermark and and the the the manufacturer of the the the paper alone the the the attribution of of the the the painting was changed It finally sold at at Bonhams but but for a a a a a a a a a a a fraction of of the the the price at at which it it would have sold if it it was firmly attributed to the Daniells 258