An original photograph of missionary Pere Depelchin with tribal people, possibly of Nepalese origin, taken by photographers Johnston & Hoffman in the late 19th Century.
Sepia toned.
Circa 1894
Size of photograph: 16.5 x 10.7cms or 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 inches.
Size of mount: 25.3 x 32.7 cms or 10 x 13 inches.
Henri Joseph Depelchin (1822 - 1900) was a Belgian Jesuit priest and missionary in India and Africa. As an educator he was founder and first director of three major colleges in India. His books, letters and reports from India were presented in numerous missionary periodicals in Europe.
This photograph was probably taken either in Darjeeling in the late 1800’s where Pere Depelchin founded a school, or in the hills at Kurseong where he was tasked to lecture Jesuits missionaries in logic and metaphisics. Darjeeling and Kurseong are close to Nepal and it is from there that I assume the family in the photograph originate.
The leading photography studio of Johnson and Hoffman was first established around 1822 in Calcutta. A branch was opened in Darjeeeling in 1890 and one in Simla in the mid 1890’s. That the branch in Simla is noted on the back of the photograph would date it as having been produced at that time. Johnson & Hoffman were the second largest commercial photographer in India.
The writing in pencil on the back of the photograph reads ‘Pere Depelchin au milieu avec la barbe blanche’ which translates ‘Pere Depelchin in the center with the white beard’.
Condition: Very Good. The surface of the photograph is superficially scratched. There is a faint crease running across the top left hand corner. The mount is browned and a little grubby. The corners are soft, one is missing. There is a closed tear on the left hand side.
