Francois Balthazar Solvyns Print, Koalhos

Francois Balthazar Solvyns, a Flemish marine artist had been under the patronage of the Hapsburg Governors, a political adrift in 1790 compelled him to set a sail for India. Hodges and Daniell focused on the scenic splendours, it was Solvyns who portrayed Indians, the people of this fabled land in their customs, manners, and dress, in their occupations and festivals. In his early years in Calcutta, Solvyns worked as something of a journeyman artist and was even employed for a time in decorating coaches and palanquins. In most of the etchings, Solvyns’s portrayal of his subject is its first visual representation, and the accompanying text provide an enormously rich and untapped resource for our understanding of Indian society. His etchings are the rarest artifacts of the prevalent Indian custom and traditions. Text in English and French.

Dimension: 14.5X10.5 Inches
Medium: Copper Plated Etching