Abstract: Visual Arts and British Imperialism in India

Shreya Sharma, independent scholar.

Visual Arts and British Imperialism in India

The British Imperialism played an important role in determining the portrayal of India and its inhabitants during the British Colonization. Portraits were a remembrance of lives and times spent in India. It was an impression of its peoples and surroundings which had to be brought back for display and for showing to members of families and friends at home in Britain. This incentive led to portrayal of the inhabitants as rural, uncivilized and illiterate. They were portrayed as a society who had no “proper” system to function which “legitimized” the British Invasion. These were portrayed through paintings and statues that travelled back to Britain for the Great exhibition amongst others. These portrayal of the inhabitants as illiterate propagated the idea that natives of India make excellent servants. These false narratives continued to influence the world. I would like to present a paper that would discuss these themes through examples of various photographs, paintings and maquette that were commissioned by the British officials and families during the British rule in India.

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Call for Papers

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