Henry Merke
(1799 - 1820 (fl.))
A View of the Government House and Council Chamber, Madras
Published 19 January 1807 by Edward Orme No 59 Bond Street, London, [January 19, 1807] Inscribed in the title: Lettered below the image with the title in English and French around coat of arms with the motto 'AUDACTER ET SINCERE' between the two titles, a dedication from the publisher in engraved script “To the right Honourable Edward Clive Earl of Powis, Viscount Clive of Ludlow, Baron Herbert of Cherbury Salop, Baron Powis of Powis...
Published 19 January 1807 by Edward Orme No 59 Bond Street, London, [January 19, 1807] Inscribed in the title: Lettered below the image with the title in English and French around coat of arms with the motto 'AUDACTER ET SINCERE' between the two titles, a dedication from the publisher in engraved script “To the right Honourable Edward Clive Earl of Powis, Viscount Clive of Ludlow, Baron Herbert of Cherbury Salop, Baron Powis of Powis Castle, Baron Clive of Plassey Ireland, Baron Clive of Walcot Salop and late governor of fort St George in the East Indies” and “Au tres honourable Edward Clive du Powis, Vicomte Clive de Ludlow, Baron Herbert de Cherbury, Comte_ de Salop, Baron Powis Castle, Baron Clive de Palsey en Irelande, Baron Clive de Walcot, Comte_ de Salop, ancien Gouverneur du Fort S. Georges, dans les Indes Orientales” The dedication and printmaker information is the same on both sheets and “From the Original Drawing made on the Spot. / Edwd. Orme excudit / H. Merke sculp. / Published Jany. 19. 1807, by Edwd. Orme, No.59 New Bond Street, London.” View from a lawn with people, some carrying boxes, and a man riding a camel close to a group of people sitting around another box in the left foreground, of a group of large neo-classical buildings with men climbing steps surrounded by soldiers to one with a peaked roof and decorated triangular pediment to the right. Government House (left) and the Banqueting Hall (right) at Triplicane, Madras. Danish mathematician Goldingham served as an astronomer in Madras in 1786. After conducting a coast-to-coast survey, he was appointed superintendent of the Survey School for the Company. Goldingham made a lasting impression on the Second Clive, Edward, Robert's son. Like Marquess Wellesley in Calcutta, Clive felt that some of the official buildings needed to be replaced. Goldingham was hired by Clive Junior in 1800 as the company's civil engineer to oversee the maintenance of multiple structures. Seringapatam collapsed and the English gained absolute control over South India under Clive's governorship. With the French and Mysore troops out of the picture, the Company boldly started to move beyond the Fort. Government House, located in what is now the Omandur medical complex, was the governors of Madras' house until 1947. Clive had Goldingham restore it. In 1997, the historic structure was destroyed. The majestic Banqueting Hall (now Rajaji Hall) was also created by Goldingham. English classical architectural texts served as the inspiration for its distinctly Greek design. The Company's triumphs at Plassey (under the leadership of senior Clive) and Seringapatam are honoured on its pediments. Henry Davison Love's magnificent inventory of superb oil paintings of Anglo-Britain’s adorned the vast chamber. The paintings of Indian leaders currently stand in place of these ones. Goldingham painted his initials on the front stairs because he was so proud of his building (as shown in the print). It appears that the engineer received a fifteen percent commission. The directors of the company were not amused. However, Goldingham's career does not seem to have been damaged by this. He went back to his job as an astronomer. He also created Madras time in 1802, which is five hours and twenty-one minutes ahead of GMT. He also wrote publications on a wide range of topics, including the length of a pendulum, eclipses of Jupiter's satellites, sound speed, and the longitudes of the presidency and city. As the editor of the Madras Gazette , he conjectured about the beginnings of the coast temples in Mahabalipuram. After retiring, he went back to England, where he passed away in 1849. NON-EXPORTABLE
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PASSAGES TO INDIA: A JOURNEY THROUGH RARE BOOKS, PRINTS, MAPS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND LETTERS
24-26 JULY 2024
Estimate
Rs 4,00,000 - 6,00,000
$4,820 - 7,230
Winning Bid
Rs 4,20,000
$5,060
(Inclusive of Buyer's Premium)
ARTWORK DETAILS
Henry Merke
A View of the Government House and Council Chamber, Madras
1807
Hand coloured aquatint on paper
Print Size: 19.2 x 25.6 in (49 x 65.2 cm) Sheet Size: 20.3 x 27.1 in (51.6 x 69 cm) With Mount: 26.7 x 33.6 in (68 x 85.5 cm)
Category: Print Making
Style: Landscape