One of the world’s oldest cricket paintings, estimated to be worth crores, is up for auction

Cricket Match in India (1792) by Thomas Daniell | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The year is 1792.

A large, lush green field is visited only by a lone cow and a group of scattered men. A closer look reveals a set of stumps and a batsman in mid-swing. A white pavilion not far away suggests the relaxed presence of players, while an unidentified building at the rear of the field reflects European influences.

We are in 18th-century colonial Madras in the midst of a quintessentially British pastime: a game of cricket, captured only in oil colors on canvas.

This painting, titled Cricket Match in India, its ephemeral quality reminiscent of Daniell’s feather-touch dexterity, is one of the earliest depictions of the game, and is set in 18th-century colonial Madras, specifically the island. This is probably the oldest painting of cricket, its origins being linked to the collection of the Tagore family and the publication of Maurice Shelley. Bharat and DanielIt was part of a private collection in Calcutta for many years, until it was acquired by Astaguru, a Mumbai-based auction house. After the grand, big-money spectacle of the IPL auction, the painting will also be auctioned on December 14 and is estimated to be worth between ₹7 to ₹9 crore.

,[The painting] It is not only an early visual document of cricket in India, but also a rare example of Daniels’s work in oil, a medium that is even rarer than his prolific watercolors and watercolors,” said Sneha Gautam, vice president of Astaguru auction house. She says.

A closer look at this piece reveals many fine details. “At the center of the composition, cricket players are depicted in various postures engaged in the game. His attire with colorful trousers adds vibrancy, while the scorer sitting nearby provides a casual, observational element. The grazing cow in the foreground offers a touch of rustic Indian life,” adds Sneha. Players wearing colored trousers are positioned as fielders while the scorers are seated and observe the play. “Although the building [behind] While the exact identification remains uncertain, it places the scene in the historical and cultural context of British-occupied India,” says Sneha.

MF Hussain’s work is also part of the auction. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The work is an important cultural document in Daniel’s seven-year-long record of 18th-century colonial India and its sights and sounds, which he absorbed during his extensive travels. He arrived in India in 1786 after obtaining permission from the East India Company to travel to Calcutta to work as an engraver with his nephew William as his assistant. At a time when photography did not exist as a medium, his Danielle sketches and aquatints became a rare visual archive of the region’s landscape, architecture and culture. oriental sceneA six-volume series consisting of 144 aquatints, presenting India as a land of architectural wonders and picturesque landscapes, was also purchased by the East India Company to reinforce the story of British cultural and economic management in the region.

“During this period, Daniels carefully documented his travels through sketches and paintings, focusing on India’s diverse landscapes, architectural wonders, and cultural activities. Notably, his itinerary included Madras (now Chennai) in 1792, making it highly plausible that this painting was created during his time in the region. Reference to the island as the location of a cricket ground comes from historical records, which indicate that it was the only cricket venue in the city at that time,” adds Sneha.

18th century colonial Madras was synonymous with trade and naval power. The game is rarely discussed in this context. And so, this painting is likely an unexpected attempt by Daniell to document the leisure time of the colonists. Sneha says, for those who are interested in sports history, British-Indian relations or colonial era art, this painting holds special attraction.

Apart from this iconic painting, the upcoming auction titled Historical Masterpieces will also showcase works by modernists like Jamini Roy, Manu Parekh, SL Haldankar, KM Adimoolam, Homi J Bhabha, Rabindranath Tagore, A Ramachandran, Paresh Maity, Jehangir Sabawala, BC Sanyal and Will be done. Many others. The collection also includes sculptures by eminent artists such as Himmat Shah, T Vaikuntham, Krishna Khanna and Sankho Choudhury.

The online auction will be live from 14th to 16th December on astaguru.com