The Wallace Collection, in London, is exhibiting ‘Forgotten Masters: Indian Painting for the East India Company’ curated by renowned writer and historian, William Dalrymple, in partnership with DAG.
“Forgotten Masters showcases the work of a series of extraordinary Indian artists, each with their own style and tastes and agency, whose brilliance has been frequently overlooked until now. These masterpieces combine Indian and European influences to create rich, hybrid works which reflect the cultural fluidity of this period in India’s history.”, said William Dalrymple.
The exhibition, in its second run, was reinstated at the museum because of popular demand and will now continue until September 13.

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The exhibition pays homage to lesser-known artists such as Shaikh Zain ud-Din, Bhawani Das, Shaikh Mohammad Amir of Karriah, Sita Ram and Ghulam Ali Khan. These artworks were commissioned by the East India Company officials in the 18th and 19th century. They tell the story of the exchanged influences between British and Indian art styles and throws light on a forgotten history.
Some highlights from the exhibition are:-
Indian Roller on Sandalwood Branch, Impey Album by Shaikh Zain ud-Din (Calcutta, 1780)
Indian Roller on Sandalwood Branch, Impey Album by Shaikh Zain ud-Din. Source: Wallace Collection
Indian Roller on Sandalwood Branch, Impey Album by Shaikh Zain ud-Din. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
English Gig by Sheikh Mohammah Amir (1840)
English Gig by Sheikh Mohammah Amir. Source: Wallace Collection
English Gig by Sheikh Mohammah Amir. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
A Great Indian Fruit Bat or Flying Fox (pteropus giganteus) by Bhawani Das (Calcutta, 1778-1782)
A Great Indian Fruit Bat or Flying Fox (pteropus giganteus) by Bhawani Das. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
A Great Indian Fruit Bat or Flying Fox (pteropus giganteus) by Bhawani Das. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
Brahminy Starling with Two Anteraea Moths, Caterpillar and
Cocoon in Indian Jujube Tree, Impey Album by Shaikh Zain ud-Din (Calcutta, 1780)
Brahminy Starling with Two Anteraea Moths, Caterpillar and Cocoon in Indian Jujube Tree, Impey Album by Shaikh Zain ud-Din. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
Brahminy Starling with Two Anteraea Moths, Caterpillar and Cocoon in Indian Jujube Tree, Impey Album by Shaikh Zain ud-Din. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
Six Recruits, Fraser Album by Family of Ghulam Ali Khan, (1815)
Family of Ghulam Ali Khan, Six Recruits, Fraser Album. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
Six Recruits, Fraser Album by Family of Ghulam Ali Khan. Courtesy: The Wallace Collection
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The visitors will also get to see a Mughal dagger that was formerly owned by Claude Martin, an East India Company official.
Source: Instagram - William Dalrymple
Source: Instagram – William Dalrymple
Catch Dalrymple in conversation with Dr Xavier Bray, Director of the Wallace Collection, at a free online exhibition talk taking place on August 20, at 3 pm BST. You can register for this Zoom talk here. Also, you can take an online tour of this exhibition on their website.