British parliament to review well-known painting
LONDON:A mural painting in the UK parliament depicting a defining moment in early 17th century laying the foundation of British influence in India is being reviewed for its contemporary relevance in the context of the worldwide campaign against colonial legacy.
The painting by William Rothenstein, unveiled in 1927, is one of eight depicting key historical events as part of “The Building of Britain” series in St Stephen’s Hall in the parliament.
The painting depicts the first British diplomatic representative, Thomas Roe, in the court of Mughal emperor Jahangir in Ajmer in 1616.
The review follows demands as part of the Black Lives Matter campaign to remove statues and symbols with links to racism and slavery from public places.
A parliament spokesperson said, “The interpretation of the artworks is constantly under review and we will look at ways to contextualise the lives of those depicted.”