Gentoo Pagoda and House
Artist and publisher Thomas Daniell British
Not on view
Plate 4 from Thomas Daniell's "Views of Calcutta" represents an Indian dwelling with an expansive upper porch, standing next to the Nabaratna temple of the Godess Kali, known as the "Black Pagoda" or "Gentu Pagoda." Built on the Chitpore Road in 1731 by Govindram Mitter, a wealthy Hindu. The 165-foot tower was used by European sailors as a navigation point. Poor construction resulted in the tower's collapse early in the 19th century.
In 1784 Thomas Daniel obtained permission from the East India Company to travel to India to work as an engraver, assisted by his nephew William. The pair reached Calcutta in 1786 and soon began to issue the first topographical prints of the colonial capital. Twelve etched and aquatinted “Views of Calcutta” were completed by 1788, printed and hand-colored by Indian assistants. The images proved immensely popular in India and Europe, and helped to launch a vogue for Indian ornament and design in Britain.
