Empire Podcast Episode 226: The Rise and Fall of East India Company Painting

Release Date: February 4, 2025
Hosts: Anita Arnan and William Drimple
Episode Title: The Rise and Fall of East India Company Painting (Ep 2)

Introduction

In Episode 226 of Empire, hosts Anita Arnan and William Drimple delve into the intricate world of East India Company (EIC) painting, exploring its rise, its artistic significance, and eventual decline. This episode provides a vivid portrayal of 18th-century Calcutta, the personalities that shaped its cultural landscape, and the enduring legacy of the EIC's artistic endeavors.

Calcutta in the 1700s: A City of Contrasts

William opens the discussion by setting the scene of Calcutta during the 1700s, describing it as a bustling hub teeming with ambition and wealth, yet marred by chaos and disorganization.

Anita Arnan [02:28]: "Calcutta was an extraordinary mess... a town full of people on the make. It was the eastern equivalent of one of those gold rush towns in California, where everyone had come to try and make a fortune as quickly as possible and leave with their money."

William Drimple [03:19]: "He says, well, that's saying something."

The city's rapid wealth accumulation led to haphazard urban planning, exemplified by the unstructured streets and opulent yet neglected Palladian mansions scattered throughout Calcutta.

Anita Arnan [03:43]: "It got rich very quick, but people died even quicker... a city where great wealth could be accumulated in a matter of months, then lost in a minute."

Sir Elijah Impey and Claude Martin: Architects of EIC Painting

The conversation shifts to two pivotal figures: Sir Elijah Impey and Claude Martin. Impey, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Calcutta, played a significant role in fostering the artistic traditions of the EIC.

Anita Arnan [04:55]: "The only park is associated with the hero of this episode, Sir Elijah Impey... he takes the flame of this style of painting from Lucknow all the way to Calcutta."

Impey's collaboration with Claude Martin, another influential character, marked the beginning of a flourishing period for botanical and zoological painting under the EIC's patronage.

William Drimple [09:21]: "Is this where this romance with Indian art starts?"

The Emergence of East India Company Paintings

East India Company paintings, characterized by their meticulous detail and blend of Mughal and European styles, became a hallmark of the period. These artworks primarily focused on botanical and zoological subjects, serving both scientific and aesthetic purposes.

Anita Arnan [09:43]: "Claude Martin commissions flower painting and begins this whole tradition of East India Company sponsored botanical painting in India."

The paintings were often produced on loose leaves and later bound, though today they are prized as individual masterpieces, fetching high prices in auctions.

Anita Arnan [16:44]: "Mrs. Bat, I think, went for a third of a million pounds."

Lady Impey: Patroness of Nature and Art

Lady Mary Impey, Sir Elijah's much younger wife, was a central figure in the artistic and naturalistic endeavors of the EIC. Her passion for nature and meticulous record-keeping greatly influenced the creation of the EIC's botanical and zoological collections.

Anita Arnan [10:12]: "Lady Impey... she is half his age... absolute lover of nature."

Her extensive menagerie and collaboration with Indian artists led to some of the most exquisite natural history paintings of the era.

William Drimple [13:29]: "Tell us about Lady Impeach's menagerie."

Anita Arnan [14:45]: "These pictures are images of sheer genius. No one ever again painted pictures as gorgeous."

William Jones and the Royal Asiatic Society

William Jones, a scholar who arrived in Calcutta in 1784 aboard the Crocodile, was instrumental in founding the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which later evolved into the Royal Asiatic Society. His work in linguistics and Sanskrit studies bridged cultural gaps and fostered scholarly pursuits within the EIC community.

Anita Arnan [22:20]: "Warren Hastings is the patron and... such studies... will survive long after British dominion in India has ceased to exist."

Jones's establishment of the society catalyzed intellectual and artistic collaborations between British and Indian scholars and artists.

The Decline of East India Company Painting

By the early 19th century, the unique blend of Mughal and European styles began to wane. Economic pressures and shifting tastes led Indian artists to adopt more European-centric styles, diminishing the distinctiveness of EIC paintings.

Anita Arnan [34:12]: "This hybrid was amazing."

The decline was further exacerbated by socio-political changes, including reduced intermarriage and a backlash against the previous era's cultural integrations following the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

William Drimple [32:48]: "This period... ends with the end of the East India Company... a whole backlash against... we want to keep them at arm's length."

Legacy and Modern Reverence

Today, East India Company paintings are celebrated as valuable cultural artifacts. Institutions like the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford house extensive collections, and recent exhibitions have revived interest in these forgotten masters.

Anita Arnan [30:18]: "The sloth bear... it looks as if he stepped on an electricity cable or something."

Modern appreciation underscores the technical brilliance and cultural syncretism of these works, serving as a testament to a unique period of artistic fusion.

Conclusion and Future Episodes

As the episode concludes, Anita and William hint at future discussions that will continue to explore the rich tapestry of plant and garden history intertwined with imperial narratives.

William Drimple [37:27]: "This is going to be plant tastic. This is the story of a really unknown man, Herman Gustav Krombegel, who is the Maharaja's gardener."

Notable Quotes:

• Anita Arnan [02:28]: "Calcutta was an extraordinary mess... a town full of people on the make."

• William Drimple [03:19]: "He says, well, that's saying something."

• Anita Arnan [09:43]: "Claude Martin commissions flower painting and begins this whole tradition of East India Company sponsored botanical painting in India."

• Anita Arnan [14:45]: "These pictures are images of sheer genius. No one ever again painted pictures as gorgeous."

• Anita Arnan [22:20]: "Such studies... will survive long after British dominion in India has ceased to exist."

• Anita Arnan [34:12]: "This hybrid was amazing."

This episode of Empire offers a comprehensive examination of the East India Company's artistic legacy, highlighting the collaborative efforts between British patrons and Indian artists that produced some of the most exquisite natural history paintings of the era. Through the lens of personal stories and historical analysis, Anita Arnan and William Drimple shed light on a pivotal chapter in the cultural history of colonial India.