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Street scene in Lahore

William Carpenter

1856

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Street scene in Lahore is a 1856 paint by William Carpenter, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: William Carpenter
When & what style?: 1856 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

William Carpenter painted a street scene in Lahore around 1855–56. This was part of his time in India, where he traveled widely and often wore local dress. Carpenter came from a family of artists. He spent years painting portraits and landscapes in places like Punjab and Kashmir before heading back to England. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this work.

The story of this work

Overview

The work depicts a bustling street scene in Lahore, Punjab, featuring vendors and pedestrians in the foreground and the rear facade of a mosque in the background. Executed in watercolor, the painting is dated both 1855 and December 1856, indicating possible revisions or completion during a second visit. William Carpenter, who traveled extensively in India between 1850 and 1856, often documented daily life, attire, and architecture with careful observation. Warm tones and lively figures characterize the composition, reflecting his interest in local customs and urban environments.

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