Who painted Sicri Gully?

Sicri Gully was painted by Robert Captain Smith in 1830.

Where can I see Sicri Gully?

Sicri Gully is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Sicri Gully?

Sicri Gully is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Sicri Gully?

Museum-quality prints of Sicri Gully are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Sicri Gully

Robert Captain Smith , 1830

Sicri Gully is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Robert Captain Smith. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Captain Robert Smith’s drawing portrays a tranquil riverbank scene on the Ganges, showing modest boats moored along the shore with figures both on land and in the water. The composition captures a quiet stretch of water framed by trees, offering a snapshot of everyday river life during his early nineteenth‑century voyages between Calcutta and Cawnpore.

Subject & Meaning

The work records the routine activity of river transport, emphasizing the interaction between people and their vessels. Small boats, simple rigging, and the presence of passengers suggest a functional, communal use of the waterway, reflecting the Ganges’s role as a vital artery for trade and travel in colonial India.

Technique & Style

Rendered in fine pencil, the drawing relies on delicate cross‑hatching to model form and suggest depth. Subtle gradations of line create shadow without pigment, while the precise delineation of boat details and human posture demonstrates Smith’s careful observational skill and his preference for economical, yet informative, illustration.

History & Provenance

Created between 1828 and 1833, the sketch is one of sixty‑five mounted pencil illustrations that accompanied Smith’s travel journal. The images were compiled into an unpublished manuscript while he lived in Ireland until 1845. The museum acquired the drawing in 1915 from the collection of W. M. Biden of Hampton‑on‑Thames.