Fabric paintings by Malagasy artists

Paintings on fabric by local artists, including the Malagasy painter Rainimaharosoa [James Rainimaharosoa, 1860-1926] depicting Malagasy people and scenery, thought to have been used by the London Missionary Society missionary, James Sibree, as visual and teaching aids when talking about his work in...

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Date(s) of creation: late 19th century
Level: Collection
Format: Archive           

Reference number: MS 381237
Summary: Paintings on fabric by local artists, including the Malagasy painter Rainimaharosoa [James Rainimaharosoa, 1860-1926] depicting Malagasy people and scenery, thought to have been used by the London Missionary Society missionary, James Sibree, as visual and teaching aids when talking about his work in Madagascar. Rectangular paintings measure 84 cm x 106 cm and circular paintings 82 cm x 82 cm.
Main author: Rainimaharosoa; James (1860-1926); Malagasy artist
Other authors: Sibree; James (1836-1929); architect; missionary and naturalist
Extent: 6 items
Admin history: James Rainimaharosoa (1860-1926) is one of the earliest known Malagasy painters. He seems to have learned the art of drawing and painting in 1870 with the British missionary William Johnson. He undertook portraits for Joseph Simon Gallieni (1849-1916), a French military commander and administrator in the French colonies, including Madagascar. In 1900, he exhibited at the Exposition Universelle [Universal Exhibition] in Paris, and six years later at the Exposition Coloniale [Colonial Exhibition] in Marseilles. [Source: allAfrica.com: Madagascar: ... View more
Custodial history: One painting carries a stamp which reads 'To be returned to Mission House', suggesting that they were kept at a local mission station in Madagascar for a time.
Acquisition: The paintings were donated to SOAS Library by David Milledge, great-grandson of James Sibree, in March 2015. The paintings were found in the attic of his father, Percy Milledge (also an LMS missionary) after his death.
Access status: Open
Language: English
Format: Archive           
Subjects:
Art
Access Points - Person, Corporate & Family Names:
Name Code Person, Corporate or Family Name Type of Entity
GB/SOASNAF/P1425 Rainimaharosoa; James (1860-1926); Malagasy artist Person
Access Points - Places:
Place Code Place Name
6269131 England
1062947 Madagascar