Vista do Rio de Janeiro 1795 by Thomas Sydenham

Photos

Contact SellerHurlingham Fine Arts ▼

This recently rediscovered watercolour of the entrance to Rio de Janeiro was drawn by Thomas Sydenham, September 1795. The subject was only previously known to exist through Edward Orme's rare engraving [ London: January 1, 1812] Entrance of the Harbour of Rio Janeiro. London: Pubd. Jan 1 1812, by Edwd.Orme, Printseller to the King, Engraver & Publisher, Bond Strt.Corner of Brook St. 10 x 14.25 inches. Engraved by J.Jeakes.

The view is of a man-of-war, possibly the East Indiaman, The Earl of Spencer, saluting the Fort of Santa Cruz da Barra as it enters Rio harbour [The E.I.C. Earl of Spencer was known to have visited Rio in September 1795].

Thomas Sydenham 1780-1816 was a member of the East India Company and an officer in the Madras Army. He was in India at the end of the Mysore Wars and probably present at the siege of Seringapatam and the fall of Tipu Sultan. He accompanied the Envoy Extraordinary to Portugal and Brazil, Charles Stuart,1st Baron de Rothesay, and later succeeded him in his post from 1814-1817. At this time, Rio de Janeiro hosted Queen Maria I of Portugal, after the royal court transferred from Portugal to Brazil 1808.

Signed and inscribed in ink 'No.1 Entrance of the Harbour of Rio Janeiro, T.Sydenham, Sept 1795'.

For two other examples of watercolours of Rio de Janeiro by Thomas Sydenham, please see the Museum of Itaú Cultural, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

PriceEnquire DimensionsImage size 21 x 35cms Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art > Antique Watercolours Date September 1795 George III Antiques Material Paper Origin English Condition Some fading and a few minor scuff marks commensurate with age Item code as988a053 Status Sold

SellerHurlingham Fine Arts

View all stock from
Hurlingham Fine Arts