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Gateway to the Shanwar Palace

William Carpenter

1850

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Gateway to the Shanwar Palace is a 1850 paint by William Carpenter, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: William Carpenter
When & what style?: 1850 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

The story of this work

Overview

The painting depicts a gateway to the Shanwar Palace in Pune, constructed in 1736 and significantly damaged by fire in 1827–28. In the foreground, a small shrine is visible beneath a tree, set within a square where a vegetable market is taking place. The work was completed by William Carpenter during his travels in India in 1850, reflecting his focus on local customs and daily life. The painting was later acquired by the museum in 1881 from Carpenter for £500.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

William Carpenter

William Carpenter (1818–1899) was an English watercolour artist. He travelled for six or seven years in the 1850s painting scenes of India, its people and its life. The Victoria and Albert Museum bought over 280 of his…

See the richer artist page