Richard Simon
Anura Saparamadu’s extraordinary two-volume portfolio, Where Every Prospect Pleases: Sri Lanka through the Eyes of Foreign Artists, features a finely detailed panoramic view of the city of Kandy from the famous lookout point on the opposite side of the lake (Vol. I, pp. 178–79). Unfortunately, there is no information available in the book as to who painted the scene or when; the editor has attributed it to that well-known if elusive master, ‘Unknown Artist’, and the image is undated – although, judging by the buildings visible and the large expanses of unbuilt land between them it was probably done in the late coffee era. The presence of St Paul’s Church in the foreground tells us the scene was painted after about 1850.
I wonder, Michael, whether any of your readers and followers could add anything to our knowledge of this wonderful image?
Apart from information about the painter and the painting, I am very keen, for reasons of historical interest, to identify as many as possible of the buildings visible. The Pattirippuwa, Natha Devale, the Governor’s residence and the European Club are clearly identifiable in the painting, but what about the other structures the artist has depicted? If someone could help identify them and tell us a bit about them, it would exponentially increase the interest and historical value of the painting. Perhaps some knowledgeable and artistically gifted person could then compile an outline sketch of the image with the various buildings identified, which Anura might consider adding to a future edition.
I submit this inquiry to Thuppahi in the fondest of hopes.
Yours sincerely, Richard Simon
HELPFUL RESPONSES should be sent to mrober137@gmail.com OR inserted in the “Comments” section here.
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