In this episode of Empire, Anita Arnon and William Dalrymple discuss Company School painting, a hybrid art form where Indian artists were recruited by the East India Company to illustrate flora and fauna. William explains that the term "Company School painting" is misleading, as it encompasses various Indian styles, including Mughal, Punjabi, and Tamil. The East India Company, driven by commercial interests, employed botanists who, in turn, hired local artists. The discussion covers the democratization of art through this process, the influence of Lucknow as an artistic hub, and the unique cultural exchange between Europeans and Indians. Key figures like Major William Palmer, Zoffany (a cannibal painter), Antoine Poilier, and Claude Martin are highlighted for their contributions to this art movement. The episode concludes with a discussion of Claude Martin's patronage and the discovery of his collection of bird and plant drawings, setting the stage for the next episode focusing on the art scene in Calcutta.
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