Who painted An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey?

An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey was painted by Thomas Hickey in 1794.

Where can I see An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey?

An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey?

An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey

Thomas Hickey , 1794

An Indian Lady, perhaps 'Jemdanee', Bibi of William Hickey is an oil painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Thomas Hickey. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Hickey’s 1794 oil on canvas portrays a seated Indian woman in a pink robe, her dark hair styled beneath a matching headpiece. She is surrounded by modest interior details, a wall and a faint window, while holding a small object in her right hand, suggesting a moment of quiet reflection.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified in historical records as ‘Jemdanee’ or the Bibi of William Hickey, is presented with traditional jewelry, necklace, earrings, bracelets, highlighting her cultural identity within a European portrait framework. The composition balances personal presence with subtle indications of domestic space.

Technique & Style

Executed in the company painting tradition, Hickey employs a restrained palette and fine brushwork to render the textures of silk and metal. The soft modeling of the figure’s face and the delicate handling of light create a sense of immediacy typical of late‑18th‑century portraiture.

History & Provenance

An Irish artist trained at the Royal Dublin Society, Hickey spent several years in India, producing works for colonial patrons. After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains on display.

Context

The portrait reflects the cross‑cultural encounters of the British colonial period, illustrating how European artists documented Indian subjects for both personal and official purposes. It offers insight into the visual conventions used to represent Indian women within a Western artistic idiom.

Head and shoulders portrait of an Indian lady, Shiva Lal

Artist & collection

Artist

Thomas Hickey

Thomas Hickey (c. 13 May 1741 – May 1824) was an Irish painter. Born in Dublin, Hickey was the son of Noah, a confectioner in Capel Street, and Anne Hickey. A younger brother was John Hickey, the sculptor. He was…