Distinctive leg-of-mutton legs and fine jewels: a new display of Indian paintings in the Treasures of the British Library

Abstract

• Regular visitors to the Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library, may have encountered our recent display of Natural History drawings from India next to the entrance to the Magna Carta. From 8 March 2014, a new display of Indian paintings from the Visual Arts collection will be on view. The British Library’s collection of Indian paintings date mainly from the 16 -19th centuries. The works include portraits and paintings from provinces such as Lucknow, Hyderabad, Murshidabad, the Deccan, Central India, Rajasthan, the Punjab Hills and Plains. The core collection was formed by Richard Johnson, who was in the service of the East India Company from 1770-90. Johnson’s collection was later acquired by the East India Company for its Library in 1807 and afterwards incorporated into the British Library.