Wycombe Abbey: UVI historians explore traditional Indian culture

UVI historians explore traditional Indian culture

This term, as part of their A level studies, Wycombe's UVI historians travelled to London to explore the Portrait Gallery and the India exhibition at the V&A. Arriving at the Portrait Gallery we were given time to take in the incredible paintings of the Tudors and Stuarts; it was particularly fascinating discovering the way artists had presented the different figures which we have been studying in our A level course.

Afterwards, we headed for the V&A to visit the beautiful and exotic Maharaja exhibition. The exhibition was a visually stunning display of traditional Indian culture and the later influence of British imperialism. The detail of the exhibition was brilliant. It cleverly mastered the changes to Indian culture, culminating with two portraits by Bernard Boutet de Monvel of the Maharani Usha Devi of Indore, which encapsulate the total power of British influence and the emotional tug-of-war between the two cultures.

To finish the evening on a high and complete the cultural experience, the group travelled back to High Wycombe for an Indian meal. Amidst the contented eating of curry, we had a chance to chat about what we thought of both exhibitions, and how they brought our courses to life. Thanks must go to the History department for organising the trip; it was a wonderful day out!

By Charlie