Lot 9: Samuel Davis (1757-1819)

View of Ginhour signed with initials and inscribed 'View in Ginhour' (on the reverse of the mount) pencil and watercolour, indistinct watermark 'Britannia' 103/4 x 153/4 in. (27.3 x 40 cm.) PROVENANCE Dr. Maurice Shellim. NOTES The work of Samuel Davis and of Thomas and William Daniell is often confused. The uncle and nephew pair visited Davis in Bhagalpur between 1790 and 1791, and it is possible that Thomas gave Samuel drawing lessons during his stay. Their relationship continued and in 1813 William published some of Samuel's views of Bhutan as a series of aquatints. Davis went to India in 1780 and fought against the father of Tipu Sultan. He then entered the Company's Civil Service. In 1795 Davis was made judge and magistate of Benares, and soon after 1799 he moved moved to Calcutta where he remained until his passage home to England in 1806. Ginhour is in the Buduam district, near Anopshur.