William Prinsep

• Oil on canvas
  1841
  49 x 36 cms
  

The Mosque opposite the north east corner of the Maidan, Calcutta is that built by Prince Gholam Mahomed, son of Tippoo Sultan and opened in 1842. It was endowed by the Prince 'in gratitude to God and in commemoration of the Honourable Court of Directors granting him arrears of his stipend in 1840'.

The painting shows the Mosque in the centre, with, in the right foreground the image of Kali being carried towards the river Hoogly to be immersed. A carriage and a palanquin are seen in the centre, whilst a secretary bird surveys the scene from the roof of an adjoining building. From the Kali procession the painting can be dated to September/October and as the Mosque seems to have been recently built and yet not functioning, the year would be 1841

Provenance: The painting came from a Hobhouse family sale. It was in all probability given by Prince Gholam Mahomed to John Cam Hobhouse, Baron Broughton [1786-1869]. Hobhouse, when he was Minister for India, [he was appointed in 1835] helped the Prince in obtaining the arrears of his stipend.  There is also an inscribed gold box given by the Prince to Hobhouse in gratitude for his help.