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Zoffany, John (1733-1810) an artist of originality and depth. John Zoffany earned great reputation as a painter in Europe, was decorated with honours by many contemporary professional
organisations in Vienna, Rome, and London and came to Calcutta in search of fortune. Though a great artist, Zoffany could never overcome his poverty by his art activities in Europe. European artists in Bengal, who returned home with immense wealth, motivated Zoffany to come to India to make fortune. Painters were in great demand in India, because, Indian princes, zamindars, merchants were keen to sit before European painters. Besides, the government also needed painters for pictorial record of things, which are now done by photographers.
Zoffany came to Calcutta in 1783 and lived there until
1790. During the period he drew portraits of many members of nobility
and painted scenes of dramas, bazars, crowd, ball parties, hunting and
shooting. Richard Earlom, the celebrated mezzotinto engraver (1743-1822),
engraved some of his paintings. He painted Sir elijah
impey, warren
hastings and the 'Last Supper' for an altar-piece in St. John's
Church in Calcutta. In the history of modern Indian art, Zoffany occupies
an important place. Fellow of the Royal Academy, the Society of Artists
and the French Academy, Zoffany died in England on 11 November 1810. [Sirajul
Islam] |
