In these winter months, without much incentive in the snow and the cold to go visiting gardens and parks, and most historic houses closed for repairs and maintenance, I suggest an outing into town to renew your acquaintance with London’s world class museums. The V&A is currently hosting the exhibition “Lockwood Kipling: Arts and Crafts in the Punjab and London” to highlight the beautiful design and illustration work of John Lockwood Kipling (1837-1911), until now probably better known as the father of Rudyard Kipling. My great-great-grandfather Robert Lytton, as Viceroy of India in 1877, commissioned Kipling Sr. to design the great Delhi Durbar (which is the focus of our permanent “Indian Exhibition” at Knebworth House). Consequently, our painting of the Durbar is on display at the V&A exhibition, hung prominently, newly glazed, and every detail beautifully lit.
It hangs just behind a rarely seen John Millais portrait of Robert Lytton made just before he went to India. This fine painting has been in the V&A vaults for 100 years – which seems a shame when we’d have been delighted to show it off on the walls of Knebworth House! Robert can also be seen in outline in a small picture from Bowood House next to the Durbar picture. The Exhibition is not large, but has lovely things in it, and a little taste of India does wonders for taking the chill out of a February afternoon!
Henry Lytton Cobbold
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