Ellie Fullwood one of our Young Curators (2018-19) gives a fascinating & insightful presentation about the painted depiction of ‘The Relief of Lucknow’ print we have on display in the museum.
The original painting is by English artist Thomas Jones Barker in 1859. The painting ‘The Relief of Lucknow’, is based on sketches made by a Swedish Military Artist stationed in India in 1857. It depicts the 2nd Relief of Lucknow, where the town was besieged by Indian rebels against The British Army.
Eleanor explains how western artists often painted depictions of Eastern culture as primitive and in need of western civilisation as a way of exerting and displaying control to expand The Empire. Known as a form of ‘Exoticism’ it fantasises eastern cultures, showing them as mysterious and primitive.
The Print forms part of our Lucknow collection within the museum, where we have many fascinating objects relating to this campaign.
