Joanna de Silva

Painted during a period of rapidly expanding British colonial presence, this work is an exceptionally rare independent portrait of an identifiable Indian woman by an 18th-century English artist. According to the inscription, the sitter, Joanna de Silva, was a native of Bengal in eastern India and was employed as a nursemaid in the household of an officer of the British East India Company. She later accompanied the family’s orphaned daughter to England, where she posed for this portrait. Joanna de Silva is shown wearing finely wrought Indian textiles—luxury goods that were highly prized across the globe in the 18th century.

P.S. Discover more rare and historically significant works like this one in our Masterpieces 50 Postcards Set—50 iconic artworks to inspire and delight every art lover!

P.P.S. Discover Amrita Sher-Gil and her amazing depictions of Indian women.