Royalty on Canvas

THIS STORY actually begins in London in 1744. One of those numerous blacksmiths in England had an only son. His boy, christened William Hodges, however, did not have anything against blacksmiths, but was determined to do better for himself. He managed an apprenticeship under Richard Wilson, artist and in years, he became the most accomplished painter of fake Wilsons.

Again, he outgrew Wilson and moved to London, from where he moved on to set sail on the high seas, feel the salty breeze on his face, sailing with Captain Cook's second expedition. And so on and so forth, until we come to the `Indian connection'.

In 1778, he was persuaded to come to India under the patronage of Governor Warren Hastings. Six years later, he returned to London, with some money and a lot of paintings. With his `Views of India -1780 AD', Hodges reincarnates in India again in the 21st Century. The India of the British Raj, in its magnificent temples, mosques, sprawling palaces, formidable forts and the common people, undistorted by the harsh realities of today. Artist Hodges is alive in Chennai today.

Chronicles tell of Hodges' visit to Bengal and Bihar, Calcutta and the Madras Province and his sketches there. The sketches were then transferred to copper plates, engraved and authenticated by the artist himself. A total of 48 prints were published under the title `Select Views of India' in 1785, with a description of each scene in English and French.

In a limited edition folio, now available in Chennai, restored and with countersigns from the `true blue royalty', desi. While a William Hodges original can be seen in important museums and print collections, Prakrit Arts, a Chennai based art- firm presents the first ever limited edition folio of six of the most interesting views of the artist. Each of the six views in the folio are numbered by hand and carries the seal and authentication of Mr. M. Maher Dadha of Pokran Gallery, Banglore.

The folio, consisting of six prints in size (565 mm * 417 mm) is being sold for around Rs. 7000 and also as individual prints, according to Ms. Meena Dadha, of Prakrit Arts. It includes a specially designed certificate, mentioning the limited edition number of the folio, with vivid descriptions of the relevant scene presented in the words of Hodges, as recorded by him. A collector's edition, in short. Part of the proceeds of the sale will be utilised to fund the work of Mukti, an organisation donating limbs to amputees and polio victims, Ms. Dadha says.

By Ramya Kannan

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