The collection contains 164 botanical and zoological paintings created chiefly by Elizabeth Gwillim as well as possibly by her sister Mary Symonds while living in Chennai, India (then Madras). The collection includes 121 watercolours of birds with inscriptions, 31 watercolours of fish, and twelve of flowers, drawn from life rather than specimens. The paintings reflect the sisters' time in Madras during which, as artists and letter writers, they created a substantial visual record of the landscape and inhabitants of Madras and environs. The paintings also reflect Gwillim's scientific pursuits, including her study of botany.
Painting showing a side view of brown fish with red fins; scales individually rendered; blue wash underneath. Pencilled inscription on mat reads, "Apogon cupreus."
Painting showing a side view of Physalia with pink-and-blue pneumatophore and violet tentacles. Pencilled inscription below drawing reads, "Physalia - (Portuguese man-of-war)."
Painting showing a side view of striated blue and brown fish; blue and grey wash underneath. Inscription on mat reads, "Serranus formosus" and "(?) Kĭwān" in pencil.
Painting showing a side view of fish with lavender, dark blue, grey, pale yellow, blue-green, and light rose washes of paint, suggesting iridescence. Inscription beneath the painting reads, "Dolphin," with, "Coryphaena equiselis" beneath that in pencil on the mat.
Painting showing a side view of speckled marsh crocodile in light green, grey, and brown; slight grey shadow underneath. Features additional notes in Gwillim's hand regarding crocodile's size and where it was found: on the drawing in pencil, a small number "51," "10 feet [unclear]," and "A [unclear] aligator taken from the ditch at Vellore." Other pencil inscriptions on the mat read, "Crocodilus palustris" (at side) and "Crocodilus palustris / A aligator taken from the ditch at _?" (at bottom). The "10 feet" on the drawing has been re-written underneath.
