The Finding of the Body of Tipu Sultan at Seringapatam.
1850
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Finding of the Body of Tipu Sultan at Seringapatam. is a 1850 watercolor by John Absolon, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting depicts a scene of discovery, with a group of people gathered around a body lying on the ground. The body is dressed in ornate clothing, and the people surrounding it are dressed in military attire. In the background, there is a large building with a dome and minarets, suggesting an exotic or Middle Eastern setting. The painting is done in watercolor, with soft colors and delicate brushstrokes. The overall mood of the painting is one of somberness and reverence, as if the people in the scene are paying their respects to the deceased. The painting's use of chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and drama to the scene. For more information on this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
The drawing depicts soldiers in tricorne hats and kilts searching for the body of Tipu Sultan, their torches illuminating the scene near a gateway and a structure resembling the Gumbaz tomb at Seringapatam. The work appears to be based on earlier engravings of the event, reflecting its historical context. According to records, it was purchased by A. Mathews in September 1972.
Read the full account in the museum source.
John Absolon was a British watercolourist, specialising in figure painting. He studied in London and then Paris.
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