PAST EXHIBITION

8 March - 17 June 2007
Porter Gallery
Admission free

Supported by the Government of Canada

Michael Alphonsus Shen Fu-Tsung, 'The Chinese Convert'
by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1687
Oil on canvas, 2121 x 1320mm
Lent by Her Majesty the Queen

Catalogue | Events | In the Collection: Diversity | ODNB

From the seventeenth century onwards, non-Europeans from distant lands visited or were brought to London. Here they caused great excitement, interest and curiosity. Their experiences are both engaging and, on occasion, shocking. The exhibition examines the complexities and ambiguities of their time in London through the images and objects that were produced in the period.

A painting of Michael Alphonsus Shen Fu-Tsung by the famous British artist, Sir Godfrey Kneller introduces the exhibition. This is a vivid portrait of an individual who moved 'between worlds'.

Use the links below to view the nine diverse stories of men and women who were drawn from regions with which Britain had a colonial relationship: North America, the South Pacific, Africa and India. Use the map on associated with any of the portraits to find out more about each traveller's tale.

The exhibition is curated by Professor Jos Hackforth-Jones, Professor of Art History and Provost at Richmond The American International University in London, with Professor David Bindman, formerly Durning-Lawrence Professor of Art, University College, London, Dr Stephanie Pratt, Principal Lecturer in Art History at University of Plymouth, UK and Dr Romita Ray, Assistant Professor of Art History at Syracuse University, USA.

Four Kings | William Ansah Sessarakoo | Mai | Joseph Brant | Bennelong and Yemmerrawanne | Sake Dean Mahomed | Sara Baartman | Raja Rammohun Roy | Maharaja Dalip Singh

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All images and text are subject to copyright protection. 13 October 2008