A carriage with three outriders approaching Barrackpore House - 1810

Wash drawing of a carriage with three outriders approaching Barrackpore House at Barakpur near Calcutta in West Bengal, by William Daniell (1769-1837), c. 1810. Inscribed on the front in ink: 'W.' 'Daniell.'

Thomas Daniell (1749-1840) and his nephew William (1769-1837) travelled throughout India from 1786 to 1794 drawing and painting the landscape views and monuments they witnessed along the way. The Daniells are renowned for a collection of aquatints of views of India in six parts called 'Oriental Scenery' that was published between 1795 and 1810. Barakpur is located 14 miles from Calcutta and was originally a permanent barracks. When the Marquis Wellesley took over the Commander-in-Chief's residence in 1801, he decided to make improvements to the area. He created a summer residence for future Governor-Generals' and he landscaped the gardens while adding an aviary, a menagerie and a theatre. As a result, Barrackpore Park became a popular place for leisure pursuits. The house in this view could be a palatial house or assembly rooms.

Source : British Library