Good Place. Good Art.
Main Intro Placeholder
Massa praesent sit suspendisse ac volutpat amet. Commodo elit at non neque ullamcorper id.
Arrival.
On July 26th 1801, the ship Hindostan dropped anchor in the Madras Roads. Amongst her passengers were Henry Gwillim, his wife Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s sister Mary Symonds. Henry Gwillim had been appointed by the crown to introduce the British system of justice to southern India. From now on, all individuals in Britain and the presidency of Madras were to have equal legal rights.
As they neared Madras, Mary and Elizabeth could see the large Union Jack flying above Fort Saint George, the white walls of the customs house, the spires of the Roman and Armenian churches, the garden houses of European merchants and military officers, as well as the narrow lanes and bazaars of Black Town.
MAKING HOME MAKING ART
A year later, in 1803, they moved to St Thome House, but spent the hot months in an old cotton farmhouse at Pammal. Pammal and Saint Thome became the bases for the sister’s artistic project
MAKING HOME MAKING ART
I think this is a most beautiful country
Mary Symonds, 1801
Almost as soon as they had set up house, a mile from Fort Saint George, Mary wrote to her mother promising to send home sketches, describing the lanes shaded by the fall Bamboo intermixed with the gum Arabic tree which… is the most elegant tree that I ever saw, and declared, I think this is a most beautiful country.
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PORTRAITS
In 1802, Mary wrote home about a new artistic venture:
…amongst my female friends; I am become a miniature painter (don’t laugh) I have finished one Lady’s portrait, have two more in hand…
Early in her stay in Madras, Mary attended balls and embarked on house visits. Painting miniatures created social bonds between her and the sitter. But Mary’s craze for painting miniature portraits did not last. Soon Henry Gwillim was advising her that it was a nonsense to spend her time drawing a parcel of foolish conceited girls. What she should concentrate on were the locals and places which my friends at home want to see.
As an artist, Mary made a dramatic change in focus. She took local models and turned her attention to the world around her.
Relax Atmosphere
I think this is a most beautiful country
Mary Symonds, 1801
Almost as soon as they had set up house, a mile from Fort Saint George, Mary wrote to her mother promising to send home sketches, describing the lanes shaded by the fall Bamboo intermixed with the
gum Arabic tree which… is the most elegant tree that I ever saw, and declared, I think this is a most beautiful country.
Good Place. Good Art.
Departure Text
Massa praesent sit suspendisse ac volutpat amet. Commodo elit at non neque ullamcorper id.