On this day artist Thomas Daniell, famous for his series of aquatints on India, started from Kolkata with his nephew William Daniell on a tour of north India.
They had arrived in India in 1786. Thomas had already completed a series of 12 plates titled Views in Calcutta with the help of local artists.
From 1788, the Daniells travelled for four years before they returned to Kolkata. After a few months, they set out in 1792 and travelled in south and west India. They returned to England in 1794.
The Daniells published a large series of their illustrations titled Oriental Scenery. The plates were based on drawings made by the Daniells, who etched the plates themselves. Most of these were aquatints. The Daniells also published Views in Egypt and Picturesque Voyage to India, by Way of China.