A chaprasi
1860
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1860
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
A chaprasi is a 1860 paint by Unknown, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
A man in a red turban and green coat stands stiff, holding a letter. His uniform shows British influence—white breeches and black shoes—but the turban stays Indian. The artist painted him with flat colors and sharp outlines, no shading. This is a Company painting, made for British patrons in India. Artists often showed local workers to curious foreigners. The style is simple, almost like a catalog image. Look for more Company paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
A chaprasi, depicted in a Company painting from 1860, wears an official sash with a badge and holds a cane while standing in a compound with an office in the background. The work is part of a set of 15 drawings illustrating occupations, created in Trichinopoly, South India, reflecting the shift toward more realistic styles influenced by European techniques. These paintings were produced by Indian artists for the British East India Company to document local customs and professions.
Read the full account in the museum source.
